Wednesday, June 14 2006 17:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Siwan: Bihar Government today (June 14, 2006) served a fresh notice to controversial RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin in connection with a land purchase deal in which he allegedly caused a loss of Rs 10 lakh to the exchequer.

It is alleged that the Siwan MP purchased about 110 acre of land, which was shown as farm land, two years ago in the name of his 'Islamia Educational and Welfare Trust' for opening an engineering college and got it registered at a lower price using his "influence" as member of parliament.

The notice served to Shahabuddin on Monday asked the MP to pay the difference amount of Rs 10 lakh failing which legal action would be initiated for recovery of the lost revenue, they said today.

However, on inquiry it was found that it was not farm land but a tract suitable for constructing buildings and should have cost much more.

The trust receives funds from several quarters.

The issue had come to light when the then Siwan district magistrate C K Anil had in May last year requested the registration office to get the matter probed. Theinvestigation has confirmed that the land was registered at a lower price causing a loss of Rs 10 lakh to the state.

Based on the probe report, a notice was served to the RJD MP in the past to pay the difference in the past, but to no avail.

A fresh notice was served on Shahabuddin, lodged in Siwan divisional jail on Monday, the sources said.