Controversy erupts over land purchase by Assam CM's wife in Majuli

Guwahati: Controversy erupts after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, purchased over 18 bighas of land in Majuli, a river island.

Riniki Bhuyan Sharma's land purchases occurred months before the Assam Assembly passed the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The amended Act prohibits non-locals from buying land within a five-kilometer radius of designated "iconic structures" exceeding 250 years old.

The legislation aims to protect Assam's heritage and culture by restricting land sales to "original inhabitants" (those with three generations of residency) in specific areas.

Interestingly, the Assam government exempted Majuli from the Act's purview until November 2024.

Bhasko De Saikia, leader of the Raijor Dal, alleged that Chief Minister Sarma deliberately excluded Majuli to facilitate further land purchases for his wife.

Saikia claimed that Sharma, through Ekaa Estates LLP (a real estate company co-owned by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma and their son, Nandil Biswa Sarma), purchased around 19 bighas (18 bighas, 4 katha, and 14 lessa) of land in Majuli.

Public records (https://www.zaubacorp.com/company/EKAA-ESTATES-LLP/) confirm that Ekaa Estates LLP is a Shillong-registered construction company established on December 25, 2022.

Riniki Bhuyan Sharma completed the land purchases in two phases, predating the passage of the amended Bill.

The first transaction occurred on May 18, 2022, and the second on June 1, 2023. In the first phase, the land was purchased from Sunil Neog, Bhabananda Neog, Robin Neog, Mahendra Neog, Minakshi Neog, Praful Neog, Saroj Neog, Dilip Neog, and Sabita Neog.

The second phase, on June 1, 2023, involved acquiring 1 bigha and 16 lechas of land from Narayan Pachani, a resident of the same village.

Details of these transactions were verified by Northeast Now using the Dharitri app, Assam's digital land record platform.

The Raijor Dal accused the Sarma family of amassing wealth and assets since Himanta Biswa Sarma assumed the Chief Minister's office.

Saikia alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma has purchased a total of 125 bighas of land since her husband became Chief Minister.

He demanded an investigation into the land deals and accused the government of protecting the family's interests.