A controversy has emerged as the Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, raised serious allegations concerning a land deal near the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain. Singhar claimed that government land meant for parking was sold to a company associated with a BJP MLA, Chintamani Malviya. The land, spanning around 45,000 square feet, was allegedly purchased by Utopia Hotel and Resort Private Limited for Rs 3.82 crore on March 2, 2026.
Singhar questioned whether the Mahakal Lok project, initially presented as a religious and cultural initiative, had devolved into a means for facilitating real estate transactions benefiting BJP leaders and individuals close to the ruling government in Madhya Pradesh. The company involved in the land deal, Utopia Hotel and Resort Private Limited, reportedly has BJP MLA Chintamani Malviya and his business partner Iqbal Singh as directors. Complainant Rajendra Kuwal from Ujjain has lodged complaints with the Chief Secretary, the Lokayukta, and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) regarding the matter.
Allegations have surfaced that certain portions of the acquired land parcels, officially recorded as government property in revenue records dating back to 1950 and 1967–68, were wrongly classified as agricultural land. This misclassification allegedly led to the evasion of about Rs 3.40 crore in stamp duty and registration fees. Singhar criticized the BJP government, accusing it of turning religion from a matter of faith into a mere business venture. In response, MLA Malviya refuted the Opposition’s claims, labeling them as “false and malicious.”
