A major controversy has erupted in Bhilwara district involving BJP MLA Dr. Lalaram Bairwa from the Shahpura constituency. The MLA is accused of using his political influence to encroach upon 20 bighas of government pasture land (charagah) under the pretext of running a gaushala (cowshed). The allegations suggest that a trust primarily composed of the MLA's family members, named Dev Gaushala Seva Sansthan, attempted to secure the land but proceeded to occupy it even after their application was officially rejected by the district authorities.
Details of the Land and Trust
The dispute centers on pasture land located on the Shahpura-Kekri highway. 68 hectares. The Dev Gaushala Seva Sansthan, where Dr, while lalaram Bairwa served as Secretary, had proposed the allotment of 5 hectares, which is approximately 20 bighas, for the purpose of establishing a gaushala. Investigations revealed that the trust's leadership is closely tied to the MLA. His younger son, Chinar Devatwal, is the President, while his elder son, Jatin Devatwal, serves as the Treasurer. On top of that, the MLA's personal assistant, Hukumchand Kumawat, holds the position of Vice President. Other members include Dishank Garg and Rahul Bohra, all of whom have been presented as social workers in the trust's documentation.
Rejection of Allotment and Illegal Occupation
The process for land allotment began in late 2025 but faced significant legal hurdles. According to the Rajasthan Land Revenue Rules 1957, three specific conditions must be met for such an allotment: valid registration under the Rajasthan Society Registration Act 1958, formal registration under the Rajasthan Gaushala Act 1960, and evidence of the gaushala being operational for at least the previous three years. Since the Dev Gaushala Seva Sansthan failed to meet these criteria, the Collector of Bhilwara officially closed the allotment file on 25 February 2026. Despite this rejection, reports indicate that the trust proceeded to install a board, erect wire fencing, and construct tin sheds on the property. Plus, an electricity connection was obtained for the site on 20 May 2026, raising questions about how a connection was granted for an unauthorized occupation on government land.
Timeline of the Case
The timeline of the trust's activities shows a rapid progression of paperwork, while the Dev Gaushala Seva Sansthan was registered with the Cooperative Department on 21 August 2025. Within four months, the file moved through various levels of administration. On 11 September 2025, the Tehsildar of Shahpura sent a proposal to the SDO. By 15 September 2025, the proposal reached the Collector, and by 8 December 2025, it was forwarded to the Revenue Department. However, the lack of a three-year operational history led to the final rejection in February 2026.05 was also part of the discussions at one stage.
MLA's Defense and Official Stance
In response to the allegations, Dr. Lalaram Bairwa has denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the media, he claimed that he had resigned from the institution in 2025 and that his name is being dragged into the controversy based on old documents. He stated, "I've nothing to do with this matter, while i resigned from the institute in 2025. " He further mentioned that while the process for allotment is ongoing, the cows have been temporarily shifted to another location. Meanwhile, Sunil Meena, the SDO of Shahpura, stated that he would need to review the specific details of the case and the current status of the site to provide a definitive comment on the encroachment and the electricity connection issue.