STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The State Vigilance Commission (SVC) on Friday asked the Vigilance Organization (VO) to expedite the investigation in all registered cases and enquiries.
While reviewing the progress in investigation of cases registered by Kashmir wing of the Vigilance Organization, the SVC observed that it transpired that in FIR No 14 of 2016 prima facie established that an Inspector of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), by abusing his official position and after obtaining permission for construction of a garage, instead built a two storey house, servant quarter and garage at Gupt Ganga in Nishat, Srinagar in a LAWDA prohibited construction zone and raised all the structures in violation of approved building permissions with the active support and connivance of some LAWDA officials.
The Commissions and Omissions on the part of the Inspector and other involved officials of LAWDA needs thorough probe and involved officials need to be identified for severe action under relevant law, the Commission observed.
The directions were issued at a meeting of the full bench of the Commission held here under the chair of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Kuldeep Khoda.
The Commission also issued directions for expeditious completion of investigation and enquiries, during the review meeting with the officers of Kashmir wing of Vigilance Organisation.
The Chief Vigilance Commissioner said that smooth flow of information is imperative for early conclusion of corruption related cases and asked the officers of the Vigilance Organisation to ensure that all evidences are collected speedily and prosecution of cases is pursued in the Court of law to ensure conviction of offenders. He said the investigation officers should be proactive, in such cases, where information is not furnished within a reasonable time frame, adding that the officer should seek assistance from higher ups of the departments and utilize all powers provided to them under Cr.PC where they are facing difficulties in getting the requisite information in time.
The SSP Vigilance Organization informed the Commission that the enquiry conducted by Vigilance Organization reveals that one Ishrat Aslam, Inspector Enforcement Wing of LAWDA, in connivance with officials of LAWDA, has managed to obtained two separate building permissions (BP) issued by LAWDA under No. 81 and 85 in September 2006 in the name of his mother and constructed a garage, servant quarter and compound wall besides two storey residential house with compound wall on the land falling under khasra Nos. 3813/1446 and 2307/1823/556 respectively but all the structures have been raised in violation of building permissions granted for the purpose by LAWDA, he added.
Apart from this, in the year 2000 the mother of Inspector has also obtained building permission from Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) issued under No. 665 in July 2000 for construction of single storey house, but here also the parameters of the building permission have been violated, informed the SSP, adding that both the buildings are now being used for commercial activities (Hotel/Guest House) despite the fact that the permission has been granted for residential purposes only and that too of a limited nature.
The SSP said that investigation is in progress and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has been asked to provide an authenticated copy of the building permission issued under No 665 in July 2000, while the Tehsildar Hazratbal will be providing revenue extract of khasra numbers on which the construction has been raised and case put up for judicial scrutiny.
Among others, Vigilance Commissioners, Dr. R.K.Jerath, Gous-ul-Nisa Jeelani, and other senior officers from SVC and Vigilance Organization were present in the review meeting.
