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Srinagar, Oct 11 (IANS) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Saturday said it has unearthed a major land scam involving illegal transfer of evacuee property located on Gupkar Road in Srinagar city.
ACB SSP, Javed Hasan told the media on Saturday, “ACB has initiated a criminal investigation into the large-scale alienated property land scam involving senior government officials and private beneficiaries.
“The case focuses on illegal exchange and manipulation of prime expropriated land located on Gupkar Road, one of the most valuable areas of Srinagar. Officials of the Revenue Department and Custodian Equated Property Department, in collusion with private individuals, executed an illegal land swap.
“Approximately 17 Marla vacant land was exchanged with property of very low value at some other place. This exchange was done without the mandatory No Objection Certificate from the Defense Estates Office and in violation of the directions of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
“Investigators found that officials deliberately ignored legal procedures, falsified land records and approved fake revenue entries to benefit private parties.
“The investigation revealed that the tenancy column and revenue details were tampered with to hide ownership details. The vacated property on Gupkar Road holds high commercial and strategic value, making the manipulation a serious breach of public trust.
“The ACB found that mandatory investigation and NOC requirements were deliberately ignored, pointing to a pre-meditated conspiracy. The alleged acts include criminal misconduct, forgery, abuse of office and conspiracy, causing significant financial loss to the government.
“FIR No. 19/2025 has been registered at ACB Police Station Srinagar under Section 5(1)(d) read with 5(2) of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, SVT 2006 and Section 120-B of RPC.
“The investigation is ongoing to uncover the entire conspiracy, unearth illegal financial transactions and fix individual accountability.
“There is a possibility of arrest and departmental action. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any corruption or illegal transactions involving public servants through official helplines and communication channels.”
It should be mentioned that evacuee properties are lands left by local people who migrated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) before 1947.
Constitutionally, such citizens will continue to be Indian citizens and their properties will be held in trust by the State Guardian Department until the rightful owners or their heirs return to Jammu and Kashmir.
–IANS
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