Former commune chairman prosecuted for unauthorized riverbank land lease

Tran Van Tro, former chairman of Trung Ha Commune People's Committee in what was Vinh Phuc province, faces charges for allegedly leasing riverbank land to 8 households without authorization, with the actual occupied area exceeding the contracted amount by more than 7 times.

On 26/8, Phu Tho Provincial Police announced that the Investigation Police Agency has initiated legal proceedings against Tran Van Tro, former chairman of Trung Ha Commune People's Committee. Also implicated are two of his subordinates: Sai Van Thuong, former vice chairman of the commune, and Do Thi Hien, former land cadastral officer. They are being investigated for violating land management regulations, as outlined in Clause 3, Article 229 of the Penal Code.

Suspect Tran Van Tro. Photo: Provided by Police

During his tenure as chairman of Trung Ha Commune, Yen Lac District, in what was Vinh Phuc province, from November 2018 to April 2024, Tro was responsible for state land management in the area. He is accused of being fully aware that leasing riverbank land was outside the commune's authority but proceeded with the violations.

Police allege that Tro directed Thuong and other subordinate officials to arrange riverbank land leases for 8 households in hamlets one and two of Trung Ha Commune. Furthermore, when these leases were arranged, Tro failed to instruct specialized officers to measure and determine the actual area for handover on site.

These violations resulted in the actual land area used by the households being significantly larger than the area recorded in their lease contracts. Initial investigations determined that the total area actually used by the 8 households was nearly 265,000 square meters. In contrast, the total area recorded in the lease contracts was only 36,200 square meters, a discrepancy of over 228,000 square meters.