The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched a significant investigation into a large-scale land scam, uncovering the alleged usurpation of thousands of kanals of custodian land in the Bhalwal and Amb areas of Jammu district. The bureau’s findings indicate a deep-rooted nexus between land grabbers and revenue officials who are accused of manipulating records to facilitate fraudulent land sales. This development has raised serious concerns about the integrity of land administration in the region.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the scam involves custodian land situated at Asarwan, Mishriwala, Bhalwal, and RS Pura in Jammu. These valuable government properties were allegedly fraudulently acquired by individuals operating as a land mafia, with the active connivance of revenue department officials. The modus operandi reportedly involved tampering with official land records and subsequently selling the land to unsuspecting buyers, causing substantial losses to the government exchequer.
The ACB has registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) following preliminary investigations that revealed a disturbing pattern of irregularities. It has been found that over 1,000 kanals of custodian land were purportedly allotted to displaced persons from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) based on what are now believed to be fake orders. While displaced persons are entitled to land under government schemes, the ACB’s probe suggests a misuse of this provision to legitimize the illegal acquisition of custodian land.
The ACB’s ongoing investigation has brought to light further instances of land allotment irregularities, pointing towards a systematic collusion between revenue officials and private individuals. Patwaries, Girdawars, Naib Tehsildars, and Tehsildars within the Revenue Department are among those implicated. These officials are alleged to have facilitated the attestation of mutations for additional land in the Bhalwal area in favor of certain individuals, either without any official order from the Provisional Rehabilitation Office or by using fabricated orders. The ACB statement emphasized that verification revealed no such allotment orders were ever issued by the Provisional Rehabilitation Office.
Following the fraudulent acquisition of land through these tampered mutations, the beneficiaries are accused of alienating the properties. This alienation was allegedly carried out directly or through intermediaries and attorney holders, employing fraudulent means to transfer ownership. The ACB has stated that this entire operation has resulted in significant financial losses to the government. The bureau has formally registered a case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and fraud, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The FIR names six individuals as accused. These include Altaf Hussain, a former Patwari from Gura Brahmana, Jammu; Amjid Malik, a former Girdawar from Rajinder Pura Rahya Samba; Aqeel Ahmad, a former Naib Tehsildar Balwal from Friends Enclave Chowadhi, Jammu; Mohan Singh from Nanak Nagar Jammu; Rabina Kouser from Poonch; and Nazir Hussain from Raipur Domana, Jammu. The ACB’s investigation is continuing to identify all individuals involved and to ascertain the full extent of the land fraudulently acquired and alienated.
The scam highlights a critical vulnerability in the land revenue system, where official records can be manipulated to facilitate illegal land transfers. The involvement of revenue officials at various levels suggests a breakdown in oversight and accountability mechanisms. The ACB’s action is seen as a crucial step towards restoring transparency and preventing further encroachment on government land. The bureau’s commitment to an in-depth investigation aims to bring all perpetrators to justice and recover any illegally gained assets. The scale of the scam, involving thousands of kanals, underscores the magnitude of the challenge in safeguarding public land from such fraudulent activities. The investigation is expected to shed more light on the intricate network involved in this land grab and the specific methods employed to circumvent legal procedures.
The implications of this scam extend beyond financial losses. The illegal occupation and sale of custodian land can disrupt planned development projects, displace legitimate occupants, and undermine public trust in government institutions. The ACB’s efforts to unravel this complex web of corruption are vital for ensuring that government land is utilized for public good and not for private enrichment through illicit means. The bureau’s meticulous approach in registering FIRs and naming specific individuals indicates a determined effort to pursue the case rigorously. The public awaits further updates as the investigation progresses, hoping for a swift and just resolution that reinforces the rule of law and protects public assets.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.