Mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan , who was issued notice by the district authorities to authenticate his claim of being an agriculturist by November 25 for acquiring 20 acres of agricultural land near Lonavala in Pune district, has sought time till December 30, 2005 to submit original documents of his status.

In 2000, the Bollywood star had purchased 20 acres of land, close to Pavana Dam in Maval taluka and got it registered in his name on the basis of documents, allegedly proclaiming him to be a farmer at Jaunpur near New Delhi.

As under the Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act, 1963 only farmers could buy agricultural land in the state, the district authorities had issued notice to Bachchan this month asking him to submit the original documents on his status as a farmer of Jaunpur, by November 25.

“However, Bachchan requested us to give him time till December 30, for furnishing the original documents as they were still not ready and his request has been acceded to”, a senior official in Maval SDO, said in Pune today.

The registration of the land purchased in 2000 has been done on the basis of photocopies. Once the verification of the original documents is done regarding his claim to be a farmer of Jaunpur, the matter would be closed, the official added.