EOW files chargesheet in high-profile land fraud case involving senior revenue officials

Srinagar, Dec 21: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a high-profile land fraud case involving four senior revenue officials and a private individual. The chargesheet has been submitted before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in FIR No. 08/2021.

According to officials, the case has been registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Five accused persons have been named in the chargesheet, including four revenue officials who were posted in Srinagar district at the relevant time.

The accused have been identified as Nusrat Aziz, then Tehsildar Settlement, Srinagar; Shahbaz Bodha, then Tehsildar South, Srinagar; Mohammad Yaseen Kalla, then Patwari Estate Balhama; Ashiq Ali, then Patwari Settlement, Srinagar; and Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Nowgam, Srinagar.

The case originated from a complaint filed by purchasers who alleged that they had legally bought two plots of land measuring 01 Kanal and 07 Marlas each, along with an additional 14½ Marlas, located at Balhama in Srinagar. The land was purchased through registered sale deeds executed by Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, and possession was duly handed over. Revenue mutations bearing numbers 121, 122 and 67 were also lawfully attested in favour of the complainants.

However, during the course of investigation, it emerged that the accused seller, in criminal conspiracy with the concerned revenue officials, allegedly manipulated official records and illegally cancelled the valid mutations. This fraudulent action resulted in the restoration of ownership rights in favour of the seller, enabling the resale of the same land to other parties. Investigators said this caused wrongful loss to the original purchasers and corresponding unlawful gain to the accused.

The investigation further revealed that basic mutations were attested in favour of land broker Riyaz Ahmad Bhat on predated documents. Crucially, this was done at a time when the concerned revenue officers were not even posted within the jurisdiction of the relevant Tehsil or Estate, raising serious questions about abuse of official position and procedural violations.

Officials said that the probe uncovered substantial documentary and official evidence establishing the commission of cognizable offences. Based on the material collected, the Economic Offences Wing concluded that a well-orchestrated conspiracy was executed to defraud the complainants by misusing official machinery.

The chargesheet has now been filed for judicial determination before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar.