Srinagar, Dec 21 : Cracking down on alleged corruption in land dealings, the Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against four revenue officials and a land broker for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent land sale in Balhama area of Srinagar.
The investigation revealed manipulation of official records and cancellation of valid mutations to facilitate illegal resale of land.
According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 08/2021 under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B RPC read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, against five accused persons, including four senior revenue officials.
“The accused have been identified as Smt. Nusrat Aziz, daughter of Abdul Aziz Lone, then Tehsildar Settlement, Srinagar, resident of Gurez and at present Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar; Shahbaz Bodha, son of Sher Ali Bodha, then Tehsildar South, Srinagar and presently posted as ACR, Pulwama, resident of Dooru, District Anantnag; Mohd Yaseen Kalla, son of Ghulam Mohammad Kalla, then Patwari, Estate Balhama and presently posted as OQ Channapora, resident of Shamaswari, Khankahi Moula near Gandhi College, Srinagar; Ashiq Ali, son of Ghulam Rasool Khan, then Patwari Settlement, Srinagar and presently posted as Patwari, Litter, Pulwama, permanent resident of Panner Jagir, Tral and presently residing at Hawal, Srinagar; and Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, resident of Nowgam, Srinagar,” reads the statement.
It reads, the case originated from a complaint wherein the complainants alleged that they had purchased two plots of land measuring 01 Kanal 07 Marlas each, along with an additional 14½ Marlas, situated at Balhama, Srinagar, through registered sale deeds executed by accused Riyaz Ahmad Bhat. Possession of the land was duly handed over, and mutations bearing Nos. 121, 122 and 67 were lawfully attested in favour of the complainants.
The statement further reads, during investigation, it was revealed that the accused seller, in criminal conspiracy with the revenue officials, fraudulently manipulated official records and illegally cancelled the valid mutations, thereby dishonestly restoring ownership rights in favour of the seller. This enabled the resale of the same land to other parties, causing wrongful loss to the complainants and corresponding unlawful gain to the accused.
“Investigation further established that basic mutations were attested in favour of land broker Riyaz Ahmad Bhat on predated documents, at a time when the concerned officers/officials were not even posted within the jurisdiction of the said Tehsil/Estate,” it reads adding based on the evidence collected during the course of investigation, including official records and documentary proof, sufficient material was found substantiating the commission of cognizable offences under the relevant provisions of law. Accordingly, the chargesheet has been filed before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, for judicial determination.
“The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir reiterates its firm commitment to combating corruption and safeguarding the lawful property rights of citizens,” the statement reads further.
