What is Kabza?

In Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, kabza simply means possession — who is physically on and using the land. In everyday speech, ‘kabza ho gaya’ means someone has taken over land that isn’t theirs.

Possession matters a lot in Indian property law. Courts often protect settled possession, and possession that is open, continuous and hostile for long enough can lead to an adverse possession claim.

Illegal kabza usually starts small: cultivating a strip, dumping material, building a wall or a shed. Acting early is far easier than removing an established occupant.

Why it matters if you live abroad

The longer an illegal kabza goes unchallenged, the harder and more expensive it becomes to undo — early notice is your strongest protection.