The New Year began with relief and emotional closure for Anjana Bhatt, the daughter of an Indian Army officer, after her illegally occupied house in Lucknow was freed from land mafia control. Acting on the direct instructions of Yogi Adityanath, police restored possession of her multi-crore property within 24 hours and arrested the accused.
How the case came to light
Anjana Bhatt, who has been battling schizophrenia following the loss of her father and siblings, had been living at a rehabilitation centre for several years. During this period, her house, located in Indira Nagar, Lucknow, was allegedly taken over using forged documents.
On Wednesday, Anjana met the Chief Minister and narrated her ordeal. She told him that her house had been illegally occupied by Balram Yadav, a resident of Chandauli, with the help of forged paperwork.
Immediate action by the Chief Minister
After listening to the complaint, the Chief Minister assured her of swift justice and ordered immediate action. The directive triggered rapid coordination between the district administration and police authorities.
By Thursday morning, police recovered the property and formally handed over possession to Anjana. The speed of action highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance approach towards land mafia cases.
Background of the property dispute
Anjana’s father, Major Bipin Chandra Bhatt, served in the Indian Army and owned house number A-418 in Indira Nagar. He passed away in 1994. Later, Anjana’s brother and sister also died, leaving her as the sole surviving family member.
Due to her mental health condition, she was admitted to a rehabilitation centre in 2016. Investigators say the accused took advantage of her absence and vulnerability to illegally occupy the property.
Allegations against the accused
Police said the accused not only occupied the house but also installed their own nameplate and attempted to transfer ownership using forged documents. Anjana had earlier filed a complaint at the local police station on December 6. However, when the process moved slowly, she decided to approach the Chief Minister directly.
Arrests and police confirmation
Police arrested Balwant Kumar Yadav alias Bablu and Manoj Kumar Yadav on Thursday. Officers confirmed that both men face charges related to property grabbing and the use of forged documents. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
Emotional return to her home
When Anjana entered her home after years, she became visibly emotional. She walked through every room, touched the walls, lit a lamp, broke a coconut, and offered flowers. Neighbours and officials witnessed the moment as she recalled memories from her childhood.
With tears in her eyes, she expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and said his intervention helped her during the darkest phase of her life.
Why the case matters
This case has emerged as a strong example of swift governance and administrative responsiveness. It also underlines how vulnerable individuals, including families of Army personnel, can become targets of land mafia when systems fail to act on time.
Conclusion
The restoration of Anjana Bhatt’s house within 24 hours sent a clear message against illegal land occupation in Uttar Pradesh. The episode reinforced the government’s stance on protecting vulnerable citizens and ensuring that justice is delivered without delay.
