MOTIHARI: At the age of 68, when most people begin slowing down, Habiban Khatoon stepped into a courtroom to fight for what she believed was rightfully hers – possession of 1 katha and 4 dhur of land. She finally received justice 35 years later, at the age of 103.The order led to celebrations in the family of Habiban, a resident of Bihar’s East Champaran district, who fought the decades-long legal battle against all odds. Their only regret is that her husband, Naimullah Ansari, is no longer alive to witness the moment. The dispute dates back to 1993, when Habiban’s eldest son Rahamtullah bought a plot of land from a villager, Afaque Ahmad, in his mother’s name. His cousin, Liaquat Hussain, too bought the same piece of land from Afaque two days after the registration of Habiban’s deed and took possession of it.Habiban filed a title suit against Liaquat in the court of Motihari sadar munsif in March 1994. After years of proceedings, she finally got a favourable order, but Liaquat challenged it before the district judge’s court in 2004. As the district judge also ruled in her favour, Liaquat moved HC in 2014. The HC, too ruled against him, but Habiban’s wait continued. She approached the sadar munsif court in 2014, seeking possession of the land. But the proceedings were delayed because of transfer of sadar munsifs and then Covid. After nearly 12 years, the proceedings finally became active again and she got possession of the land on Tuesday. However, justice came at a heavy cost as she had to sell all her valuables to bear the legal expenses. – Chandra Bhushan PandeyGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorChandra Bhushan PandeyAssociated with TOI for the last 25 years. A postgraduate in Political Science from BRA BU Muzaffarpur, I cover India-Nepal border news and activities of cross-border smuggling of arms, fake currency and narcotics, Integrated custom check post, Terrorist activities, college and university news, Civic, cultural affairs, flood and drought, agriculture news, Irrigation system, sports and other spot news.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBageshwar Baba Dhirendra Shastri’s Brother Arrested For Firing At Farmer In Madhya Pradesh’Abhishek Has Done No Wrong’: Mamata Banerjee Defends Nephew Amid TMC Rebellion“Party Is Sinking”: Mamata’s Loyalist Crosses Over To Ritabrata Camp; TMC Crack Deepens’Serious Risk’ To India’s Largest Nuclear Plant Kudankulam After Files Leaked On Dark Web: ReportRahul Gandhi Steps In As Punjab Congress Infighting Threatens 2027 Election PreparationsExplained: Why PM Modi’s July 17 Punjab Visit Is Politically Crucial Ahead Of Assembly ElectionsHigh Profile Political Meeting Rekindle Talk Of NCP Unity In Maharashtra; Patil Denies BuzzKGMU Bars Cooking Of Non-Veg Food In Hostels After Governor Flags Issue At ConvocationIndia-UK FTA: What Gets Cheaper, How Exporters Benefit And Why The Deal MattersTMC Rift Deepens As Kalyan Banerjee Launches Fresh Attack On Abhishek And I-PAC123Photostories5 long-haired dog breeds that win hearts with their looks and personalityLooking for better health? Repeat these 10 powerful affirmations every dayWorld’s 10 most peaceful countries in 2026: Safe, scenic and travel-friendlyEye doctor reveals the 7 everyday habits they never skip to protect their vision, and why these simple daily choices matter9 Vastu Tips to Attract Love into Your LifeWhy the Adhar Pana prasad of Jagannath Rath Yatra is spilled on the floor and humans are forbidden to consume itYoung, slim, and feeling perfectly fine? Why more Indians are being diagnosed with prediabetes without any warning signsThese 5 giant pet cats are so big, people mistake them for wild animals10 baby girl names inspired by Japanese seasons and cherry blossom traditions“Send your child far away…”: Acharya Prashant says this one parenting decision can help children grow into independent adults123Hot PicksNBA Trade RumorsHow to Watch FIFA World CupMichael JordanKylian MbappeBengaluru ProfessorCarol RuckdeschelRussia Saction BillNBA tradeMinecraft Bedrock 26.40.31 BetaTop TrendingIND U19 vs SL U19Prashant KishorFIFA World Cup 2026Nitin GadkariBengaluru Student SuicideTwisha Sharma Murder CaseLeo CarlssonTaslima NasrinGujarat RapeIran war
MOTIHARI: At the age of 68, when most people begin slowing down, Habiban Khatoon stepped into a courtroom to fight for what she believed was rightfully hers – possession of 1 katha and 4 dhur of land. She finally received justice 35 years later, at the age of 103.The order led to celebrations in the family of Habiban, a resident of Bihar’s East Champaran district, who fought the decades-long legal battle against all odds. Their only regret is that her husband, Naimullah Ansari, is no longer alive to witness the moment. The dispute dates back to 1993, when Habiban’s eldest son Rahamtullah bought a plot of land from a villager, Afaque Ahmad, in his mother’s name. His cousin, Liaquat Hussain, too bought the same piece of land from Afaque two days after the registration of Habiban’s deed and took possession of it.Habiban filed a title suit against Liaquat in the court of Motihari sadar munsif in March 1994. After years of proceedings, she finally got a favourable order, but Liaquat challenged it before the district judge’s court in 2004. As the district judge also ruled in her favour, Liaquat moved HC in 2014. The HC, too ruled against him, but Habiban’s wait continued. She approached the sadar munsif court in 2014, seeking possession of the land. But the proceedings were delayed because of transfer of sadar munsifs and then Covid. After nearly 12 years, the proceedings finally became active again and she got possession of the land on Tuesday. However, justice came at a heavy cost as she had to sell all her valuables to bear the legal expenses. – Chandra Bhushan Pandey
