Visva-Bharati threat to Amartya Sen: Vacate 13-decimal land or be evicted

SANTINIKETAN: Visva-Bharati, in an eviction order under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act 1971, has asked Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to vacate 13 decimals of the 1.38-acre plot on which his ancestral home, Pratichi, stands in Santiniketan by May 6 or be forcibly evicted, reports S Boral. VB had earlier turned down Sen's representation seeking time till June, when he's scheduled to return to India and visit his home.

The six-page order issued late on Wednesday says the 13 decimals of land that will be taken back from Sen will be a 50ft X 111ft plot on the north-west side of his home. VB based this on a 2006 survey and taking into consideration that Sen's access to his home should not be disturbed. There was no immediate reaction from Sen or his lawyers on this issue.

The VB order does not mention a recent order by the Bolpur executive magistrate directing police to maintain status quo till June 6, when it has sought the land reports. The Bengal government has updated its records showing Sen to be the owner of the entire 1.38 acres.