Picture used for representational purpose only

BHOPAL: The family of a farmer in Bina , who killed himself on Diwali , has alleged that he was driven to suicide because a local BJP leader 'bought' some of his land but did not pay for it.

Agriculture minister Sachin Yadav said the allegation will be investigated.

After Kamalchand Gwal's suicide, the local BJP had staged a protest, alleging that the farmer had been in debt and was disturbed because he had not got compensation for loss of his soybean crop in the floods. An inquiry by the administration, however, proved that he had sold about 6 acre land in the last two years.

"He did not have any debt," subdivisional magistrate K L Mina said.

On November 1, his family mentioned two names - Pehelwan alias Karori Yadav, a local BJP leader, and another villager. Kamalchand's son Dhanraj said his father had received phone calls before he committed suicide. He said that his father had sold some land to Karori and Bhagwandas, but the family "had never seen any money in the house". "I want justice for my mother and our land back," he told local media. His mother Premlata said that," How will I look after my children now." After his death, the local administration initiated an inquiry and found the names of the Yadavs mentioned on land documents.

Karori Yadav, the mandal president, denied the allegations. "I did purchase 1.37 acres of his land 3-4 years back, and paid Rs 22 lakh - some in cash and the rest through a cheque," he told TOI. Agriculture minister Sachin Yadav told TOI, "We will get the allegations investigated thoroughly. Action will be taken against anyone found involved in it."

