Land grab issue | Visva-Bharati asks Amartya Sen to show cause why he should not be evicted

The central university has claimed that Mr. Sen is in possession of 1.38 acres of land which is in excess of the entitlement of 1.25 acres. The economist has repeatedly denied the charge.

Visva-Bharati university has issued a notice to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen asking him to show cause why an eviction order will not be issued against him for not vacating a 13 decimal plot he is allegedly occupying illegally.

The noted economist was asked to reply to the notice by March 24 and appear before Ashok Mahato, the Joint Registrar and Estate Officer of the central university, personally or through a representative by March 29 along with evidence in support of Sen's assertion that he is not occupying any plot unauthorisedly.

"In case you and your authorised representative fail to appear on the said date, the case may be decided ex-parte," the notice said.

The 89-year-old Mr. Sen, who is now abroad, or his family members could not be contacted for reaction.

The university has been claiming that Mr. Sen is in possession of 1.38 acres of land on the Santiniketan campus, which is in excess of his legal entitlement of 1.25 acres.

The economist has earlier asserted that most of the land he is holding in the Santiniketan campus was purchased from the market by his father while some other plots were taken on lease.

“I hereby call upon you to show cause on or before March 24, 2023, why an order of eviction should not be made against you...,” the estate officer said in the notice dated March 17, a copy of which was made available to the media on Sunday.