Revolutionary hero Jatindra Mohan’s house: Farid’s family claims they are not land grabbers

Family of M Farid Chowdhury, who went to take possession of the house of anti-British movement hero Deshbandhu Jatindra Mohan Sengupta at Rahamatganj in Chattogram on Monday after obtaining a court order, today said they did not "grab" the property, rather went to take possession of the property following legal process.

Farhad Chowdhury, Farid's son, made the claim at a press conference at Chattogram Press Club.

"Those who termed us 'land grabbers' are running a propaganda, and are doing it intentionally for self-interest," he said.

Farhad stressed that they bought the property from Jatindra's legal heir, Milan Sen.

About allegation raised against them of forging documents, Farhad said, "We secured the ownership of the property after a long legal battle and everyone knows that a legal battle cannot be won on the basis of fake documents."

In answer to the question of a stay order on the property by the High Court yesterday, he said, "We are following the court order but it has not ordered us to leave the property. So we are staying here without making any change [demolition] to it."

Farhad said if the government wants to take over the house, it should be done through legal process or negotiation with them.

Contacted, Rana Dasgupta, a prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal, said Milan Sen -- although a relative of Jatindra -- cannot be owner of the property as it was made "vested property" in the 1970s.

Milan did not file any case with court claiming ownership of the land as per vested property repeal act, Rana said, adding, Milan did not have possession of the land.

The DC of Chattogram is the custodian of the property, he said, adding that Milan cannot sell the land.   

"Keeping the district administration, the custodian of the land, in dark and not making them a party, Farid filed the case," he said, adding, "So I reiterate that they forged documents."