STATE TIMES NEWS
BUDGAM: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday produced a charge-sheet against 22 accused, including two former Collectors of LAWDA, four other retired public servants, and sixteen beneficiaries, for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent land compensation scam in Budgam district.
The charge-sheet was filed before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 18/2009, registered under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 and Sections 120-B, 467, 468, 471 RPC, ACB official said.
The case stemmed from a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) conducted by the ACB into allegations of manipulation and tampering of revenue records by officials of the Rakhs and Farms Department and Revenue Department, in collusion with officials of LAWDA, to fraudulently obtain excess compensation for rehabilitation of Dal dwellers under Government Order No. 56-Rev(S) of 2006, official added.
Official further said that the investigation revealed that officials abused their positions by altering records to reflect inflated land holdings for certain tenants (Kamas) at Rakh-e-Aerth Budgam, thereby facilitating fraudulent compensation withdrawals.
In one instance, land under Khasra No. 1692 was shown as 60 kanals instead of the actual 6 kanals, 40 kanals instead of 4 kanals under Khasra No. 1666/750, and 7 kanals 10 marlas instead of 2 kanals under Khasra No. 1736, official said.
This manipulation resulted in excessive compensation payments totaling Rs 38.20 lakhs, causing significant loss to the state exchequer, official said adding that the conspiracy between public officials and beneficiaries was executed through fraudulent mutations and deliberate misrepresentation of land records.
After thorough investigation and receipt of government sanction for prosecution, the ACB formally presented the challan before the court.
Among those charged include Abdul Majid Akhtar, son of Abdul Ahad Akhtar, resident of Saraiballa Srinagar, at present Chanapora Srinagar, the then Patwari Rakhs & Farms (now retired); Zaffar Ahmad Hakak, son of Gh. Ahmad Hakak, resident of Dokani Sangeen Fateh kadal, Srinagar (Now Habib Colony Baghat Barzulla Srinagar), the then Assistant Director Rakhs & Farms Department (now retired)l Manzoor Ahmad Rather, son of Gh. Hassan Rather, resident of Dehrana Dooru District Anantnag (Senior Circle Inspector) Rakhs and Farms Department (now retired); Ali Mohd Wani, son of Abdul Gani Wani, resident of HabbakNaseembagh Hazratbal Srinagar, the then Girdawar Rakhs & Farms Kashmir (now retired); 5. Hafiz-ullah Shah, son of Peer Gh. Mohd Shah , resident of Khiagam Pulwama, the then Collector LAWDA (now retired); Mohd Hussain Mir, son of Qasim Ali Mir, resident of S.K. Colony Sector 3rdQamarwari Srinagar, the then Collector LAWDA (now retired); Aga Syed Mussa, son of Aga Syed Hussain , resident of Budgam; Aga Syed Aqueel, son of Aga Syed Hussain, resident of Budgam; Aga Syed Mohsin , son of Aga Syed Mustafa, resident of Budgam; Aga Syed Ali, son of Aga Syed Mustafa, resident of Budgam; Aga Syed Hassan , son of Aga Syed Mustafa, resident of Budgam; Aga Syed Ahmad, son of Aga Syed Mustafa, resident of Budgam; Aga Syed Rohullah, son of Aga Syed Mehdi, resident of Budgam; Mohd Sadiq Wani, son of Hassan Wani, resident of Durbal, Bemina; Mohd Talib Wani, son of Hassan Wani, resident of Durbal, Bemina; Ali Mohd Wani, son of Hassan Wani, resident of Durbal, Bemina; Gh. Hussain Wani, son of Hassan Wani, resident of Durbal, Bemina; Abdul Rahim Wani, son of Hassan Wani, resident of DurbalBemina; Hyder Ali Wani, son of Hassan Wani, resident of Durbal Bemina; Nazir Ahmad Wani , son of Gh. Ahmad, resident of Durbal Bemina; Gh. Rasool Wani , son of Gh. Ahmad Wani, resident of Durbal Bemina; and Ahamadullah Dar , son of Gh. Mohd Dar, resident of KoliporaBemina (expired).
The ACB’s swift action in bringing the long-pending investigation to its legal conclusion reaffirms its commitment to curbing corruption and holding public officials accountable. Further judicial proceedings are underway in the matter.