In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India quashed the Gangster Act proceedings against Devendra Singh, a Zila Panchayat member from Mohanpur Mafi village in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh. Following this ruling, properties valued at ₹110 crore were released by the district administration on April 7, 2023. Singh, who has more than 50 criminal cases against him, including serious charges like attempt to murder and extortion, was previously arrested in February 2022. The Gangster Act was invoked against him in July 2022, leading to the attachment of his properties. However, after Singh was granted bail and a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, the state government asserted that he was not part of the land mafia. This statement significantly influenced the court's ruling, resulting in the release of Singh's properties, which included a guest house, six market shops, and multiple plots. The district magistrate has since directed further proceedings to release additional properties linked to Singh.