A mentally challenged widow has been cheated in the name of exchanging land in Kaliganj upazila of the district. Hailing from Shialkhowa Bazar area, Baulo Bala, 48, wife of late Gouranga Chandra, is now crying for justice.

"Two years ago, Shafiqul Islam Chan tactfully exchanged his 20 decimals of land worth Tk 1.5 lakh with mentally challenged widow Bala whose land's current market price is Tk 50 lakh," said the latter's brother Sunil Chandra, adding that his sister's this 20-decimal land is situated near Shialkhowa Bazar in the upazila he possessed it by giving his low-cost land through registry.

Last week, Sunil lodged a written complaint with the deputy commissioner (DC) and upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) seeking justice.

Family members and locals said as Bulo Bala is mentally challenged, her four brothers have given her 27 decimals of land adjacent to Shialkhowa Bazar. Its current market value is more than half a crore taka.

Bala's eldest son Domashu Chandra died in a road accident nine years ago. Her husband Gouranga died eight years ago. She lives with his youngest son Madhav Chandra. Madhav Chandra is also mentally challenged. Her such mental condition has left her dependent on her brothers.

Recently, Shafiqul, 51, son of Roich Uddin of Shialkhowa area in Chalbala union, claimed Bala's land as his own land and showed the concession agreement on it.

Later, Bala's brother Sunil Chandra lodged a written complaint to the authorities concerned including the DC and UNO seeking cancellation of the agreement. He also urged the authorities to take steps against Shafiqul.

Sunil Chandra said Shafiqul is trying to grab Bala's land along the road adjacent to the market. There are no rules for selling or exchanging assets for a mentally challenged person.

He demanded justice for Bala.

Local union parishad (UP) member Sabed Ali said mentally challenged Bala and his son Madhab Chandra get monthly disability allowance.

"I don't understand how the land of the mentally challenged has changed. Bala has been cheated," said the UP member.

Contacted, Shafiqul claimed ownership of the land on the basis of concession agreement but declined to make any comment on how the agreement was made.

Upazila Sub-Registrar Paritosh Chakraborty said this could happen to Bala as her disability card was not shown. Legal action will be taken in this regard soon.

UNO Rabiul Hasan said they will take immediate steps in this regard after investigation.