Madhya Pradesh
Tehsil Biaora
,
Bankpura
,
Rajgarh
Published :
Jun 2026
|
Updated :
Contested sale of SC/ST leasehold land, ownership dispute and resistance to Biogas project in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Reported by
Sourabh Balwani
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Rakshit Dhingra, Amrita Chekkutty
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
50
Households affected
240
People affected
2026
Year started
23.96
ha.
Land area affected
50
Households affected
240
People Affected
2026
Year started
23.96
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Industry
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Industry
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Unclassifed
Sector
Industry
Reason/Cause of conflict
Other Kind of Industry
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

A land dispute involving farmers, administration and a private company has intensified in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district. According to media reports, a private company, Dilip Buildcon, purchased 219 bighas (approximately 59.2 acres) of agricultural land in Bankpura village in Biaora tehsil of the district for construction of a biogas plant.

Land records from Commissioner of Land Records (Madhya Pradesh) reveal that land was purchased by the company between August 2025 to November 2025 under multiple sale transactions. The land was purchased under a special sale permit from approximately 40 farmers, a report claimed.  

In April 2026, the local administration initiated process for demarcation of the land, subsequent to which the company also started constructing boundary wall and fencing over the land. However, farmers and local residents of the village organised a Mahapanchayat in May 2026, opposing transfer of the land to the company.

Farmers alleged that the land parcels given to the company are a source of livelihood for many families as generations have been using the land for farming and grazing, while many others have also built their homes on the land. A report further claims that false FIRs are being registered against the villagers protesting land transfer and handover to the company.

According to a local news media outlet, the concerned land parcels were leased by the earlier Congress government of the state to the farmers of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities belonging to Pachor village. However, villagers of Bankpura continue to occupy the land.

District Panchayat President, Rajgarh, also raised questions as to how farmers were given permission to sell the land, given that the leased land falls in prohibitive category and can be sold only under special circumstances as per the law. He also alleged that the land was transferred to the private company in connivance of the local administration.

Reports also indicate that previously Dilip Buildcon Limited had purchased another land in the village for construction of plant to produce CNG and biogas from napier grass, and the present acquisition of land is being done for expansion of the plant.

The officials of the company claimed that the land has been transferred to the company in compliance with legal norms after obtaining the Collector’s permission to sale, and with the approval of the farmers who held the leasehold rights. However, it is the villagers of Bankpura who have allegedly occupied the land unlawfully, and are now opposing the project.

Some farmers are claiming ownership of the land parcels, warning that they will be compelled to start movement if the demands are not met. 

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Complaint against procedural violations

Refusal to give up land for the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common and Private

Non-Forest (Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land, Residential area, Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Collector Rajgarh; SDM Biaora; Tehsil Office Pachor; Revenue Department, Madhya Pradesh

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Dilip Buildcon Limited; Bionue Energy Private Limited

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Legal Supporting Documents

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Author
Reported by
Sourabh Balwani
Sourabh is a lawyer and researcher based in Madhya Pradesh, holding a law degree from National Law University Nagpur. He began his professional journey in environmental law practice and has developed a keen interest in sustainability, climate change and the green economy. He enjoys exploring the economic landscape of contemporary India and is invigorated by the idea of law beyond the courtroom.
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Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Complaint against procedural violations

Refusal to give up land for the project

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Agricultural land, Residential area, Grazing

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
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