Bihar Government Revises Land Rules Police Can No Longer Intervene in Land Disputes Without Authority

Patna: The Bihar government has announced a historic reform in handling land disputes, significantly limiting police intervention in property matters. Effective from February 1, police officers will no longer be allowed to take action—such as halting construction or facilitating land occupation—without explicit orders from the competent authority. This move is expected to curb misuse of police power in land-related conflicts and ensure a proper legal process.

Police Role Restricted to Law and Order

The new guidelines, issued jointly by the Principal Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department under the direction of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, make it clear that police involvement in land disputes will be confined strictly to maintaining law and order. Station house officers (SHOs) will now only be responsible for formally reporting disputes to the relevant Circle Officer (CO). Any unauthorized action by police, such as allowing or stopping construction or land possession, will attract strict disciplinary action.

Detailed Documentation Required

Under the new rules, police stations must make detailed entries in their station diary for every land dispute reported. This record will include the parties involved, survey and account details of the disputed land, its size, and whether the dispute is civil or revenue-related. The information must then be shared with revenue authorities via official portals or email to ensure coordination between police and administration, and maintain transparency.

Ending Police Discretion in Land Matters

Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue & Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha emphasized that arbitrary police intervention in land disputes will no longer be tolerated. The policy aims to reduce corruption and ensure that disputes are addressed through the appropriate legal forum, such as the revenue courts. Police will also now clarify which court has jurisdiction over a particular dispute, safeguarding citizens from unnecessary litigation and intimidation.

This reform marks a significant step toward transparent land governance in Bihar, placing accountability in the hands of competent authorities rather than police discretion.