STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir on Friday filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 23/2019 before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in connection with a major land fraud involving the illegal occupation of 52 kanals of land and manipulation of revenue records in Ehel Danihama.
The case involves eight accused persons, including four revenue officials – three retired and one serving – who allegedly played a key role in the fraudulent transactions.
A Crime Branch Kashmir spokesperson said, *”The case was registered after a written complaint alleging that Nadeem Ahmad Mayer and Shafiq Ahmad Mayer of Iqbal Colony, Shalteng, Srinagar, had illegally encroached upon land by fabricating revenue records. Investigations revealed that fake and forged mutation numbers 13, 16, 17, 18, 30, 31, and 34 were executed under the guise of an oral gift (Hiba Zabani), despite there being no legal or familial basis for such a transfer.”
The investigation uncovered serious irregularities including the absence of Parti Sarkar (official mutation records), missing treasury voucher numbers and dates, and unauthorized execution of mutation by a single co-owner. This amounted to a direct violation of ownership rights of other stakeholders. Additionally, around 40 kanals of state land were also found to have been encroached upon illegally, indicating a well-planned and organized land grab in connivance with officials.
“The fraud was carried out in active collusion with certain revenue officials who tampered with official records and bypassed legal procedures, thereby facilitating illegal occupation of the land,” the spokesperson added.
Those chargesheeted include Nadeem Ahmad Mayer, son of Shafiq Ahmad Mayer, resident of Iqbal Colony, Shalteng, Srinagar, Irfan Ahmad Mayer, son of Shafiq Ahmad Mayer, resident of Iqbal Colony, Shalteng, Srinagar Abdul Hamid Kathu, son of Ali Mohammad Kathu, resident of Astanpora, Tailbal, Srinagar (the then Patwari, now retired) Ghulam Jeelani Rather, son of Late Abdul Salam Rather, resident of Dara, Harwan, Srinagar (the then Patwari) Ali Mohammad Dar, (the then Patwari, now retired) Nazir Ahmad Palla, son of Ghulam Ahmad Palla, resident of Chandpora, Harwan Bilal Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Gani Dar, resident of Mufti Bagh, Harwan, A/P New Theed, Srinagar.
The accused have been booked under Sections 420, 447-A, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B of the RPC, read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The spokesperson said, “This case reflects our firm commitment to act against land encroachments, economic offences, and corruption involving government functionaries. The chargesheet has been filed after a thorough investigation, and further legal proceedings are in progress.”