1983, A Lost Story

Meanwhile, Outlook spoke to Naresh Dayal, the Barabanki DM between 1981 and April 1983, presently the Union health secretary. He scotches the idea of any land being allotted to Bachchan. "I do not remember having had anything to do with Amitabh Bachchan during my stint as Barabanki DM," Dayal says. He also ruled out the possibility of gram sabha land being allotted to the superstar without his knowledge. "I am sure any allotment of land made in the filmstar's name—in his heyday at the time—could not have missed my attention."

To add to Bachchan's legal woes is the damning 58-page counter-affidavit filed in the HC last week by Leena Johri, present DM of Barabanki. It clearly points out that a forgery of land records did take place. The history of Amitabh's claim has been detailed to prove this:

• According to Bachchan, the 1983 land allotment followed a September 10, 1982, order passed by the Consolidation Office in Barabanki.

• According to the DM's affidavit, the application seeking land record entry against the so-called order of September 10, 1982, was made after a lapse of 24 years on April 24, 2006.
  
• The affidavit states: "The petitioner has absolutely failed to trace the title of land in question. There has been no failure of justice at all since the claim of the petitioner is based on a forged 'amaldaramad'." The Mayawati government has taken a strong position in the Bachchan case. UP principal revenue secretary S.R. Lakha told Outlook: "Bachchan is trying to take advantage by feigning ignorance of the law. He knows his game is over. That is why he has chosen to spread the word that while he is being generous by donating the land, the UP government is coming in the way of his philanthropic cause."