CBK Files Chargesheet in High-Profile Land Fraud Case | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) has filed a chargesheet in a high-profile land fraud case involving four senior revenue officials and a private individual before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar.

The chargesheet has been filed in FIR No. 08/2021 under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Five accused have been named in the case, including then Tehsildar Settlement Srinagar Nusrat Aziz, then Tehsildar South Srinagar Shahbaz Bodha, then Patwari Estate Balhama Mohd Yaseen Kalla, then Patwari Settlement Srinagar Ashiq Ali, and land broker Riyaz Ahmad Bhat of Nowgam, Srinagar.

According to the investigation, the case originated from a complaint alleging fraud in the sale of land at Balhama, Srinagar. The complainants had purchased two plots measuring 1 kanal and 7 marlas each, along with an additional 14½ marlas, through registered sale deeds executed by Riyaz Ahmad Bhat. Possession of the land was handed over and mutations bearing Nos. 121, 122 and 67 were lawfully attested in favour of the purchasers.

The investigation revealed that the accused seller, in criminal conspiracy with the revenue officials, allegedly manipulated official revenue records and illegally cancelled the valid mutations. This resulted in the restoration of ownership in favour of the seller, enabling the same land to be resold to other parties, causing wrongful loss to the original purchasers and corresponding unlawful gain to the accused.

The EOW further found that basic mutations were attested in favour of the accused land broker on predated documents at a time when the concerned officers and officials were not posted within the jurisdiction of the relevant tehsil or estate.

Officials said that the investigation, supported by documentary evidence and official records, established sufficient material to substantiate the commission of cognisable offences. On the basis of the findings, the chargesheet has been submitted to the anti-corruption court for judicial determination.

The Economic Offences Wing said it remains committed to combating corruption and protecting the lawful property rights of citizens.