Rajkot: In a major land scam in Rajkot, government land worth around ₹30 crore was illegally encroached upon, and 200 houses were constructed and sold under the name Shivam Park Society.

The scam took place in the Mahika village area on Bhavnagar Road, where a society named Shivam Park was developed on government-owned land. The society, comprising over 200 houses, was built nearly 10 years ago. However, it was only nine months ago that the Taluka Mamlatdar’s office took note of the encroachment and issued a preliminary notice.

The disputed land spans approximately 2.5 acres and is estimated to be worth ₹30 crore. The housing project was developed by a man named Mukesh Patel, who reportedly has passed away. Residents claim to have paid between ₹7–8 lakh for each house.

One resident said, “We have received a notice to vacate, but where will we go? We bought this house by selling our jewellery, and our loans haven’t even been repaid. I purchased a ready-built house for ₹7.87 lakh three to four years ago from Bhupatbhai Tak. At the time, the survey number was 200, but the notice mentions survey number 283.”

Another woman added, “When we bought the house, we were told it was government land but assured that nothing would happen.”

Yet another resident, a single mother, said, “I have two children and bought this house by taking a loan which is still unpaid. Why didn’t the government take action earlier if it was their land?”

Homeowners showed documents including stamp duty receipts and records from the gram panchayat to the media stating that Mukesh Patel had assured them the land belonged to him and not to the government.

Meanwhile, in response of preliminary notices residents submitted documents such as electricity bills and claimed they had legally purchased the plots from Mukesh Patel, who had proposed the Shiv Residency society. Some even presented a certificate recognizing it as a proposed society. The administration heard the parties involved twice during the process.

If the submitted documents are deemed legally invalid, the administration will issue final orders to the plot holders. They will have a 60-day window to appeal the decision before the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO). Under Section 202, demolition notices will also be served. If the encroachments are not cleared within the stipulated time, the administration will proceed with demolition at the site. DeshGujarat