Land fraud case: Crime Branch files chargesheet against eight accused

Srinagar, Oct 17: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 23/2019, pertaining to a major land fraud case.
The chargesheet has been submitted before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, against eight accused persons, including four revenue officials—three retired and one serving—who were allegedly involved in fraudulent land occupation and manipulation of revenue records by misusing their official positions.
According to a statement, the case originated from a written complaint alleging that Nadeem Ahmad Mayer and Shafiq Ahmad Mayer, residents of Iqbal Colony, Shalteng, Srinagar, had illegally encroached upon 52 kanals of land at Ehel Danihama by fabricating revenue records. It was found 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) from the complainant’s uncle, despite there being no lawful or familial basis for such transfer.
Investigation revealed multiple irregularities, including absence of the official mutation record (Parti Sarkar), missing treasury voucher numbers and dates, and unauthorized execution of mutation by a single co-owner, thereby violating the ownership rights of others. Additionally, around 40 kanals of State land were found to have been illegally occupied.
The fraud was allegedly carried out in active connivance with certain revenue officials, who played a key role in tampering with official records and bypassing legal procedures.
Those named in chargesheet include Nadeem Ahmad Mayer S/o Shafiq Ahmad Mayer R/o Iqbal Colony, Shalteng, Srinagar, Irfan Ahmad Mayer S/o Shafiq Ahmad Mayer R/o Iqbal Colony, Shalteng, Srinagar, Abdul Hamid Kathu S/o Ali Mohammad Kathu R/o Astanpora, Tailbal, Srinagar (then Patwari, now retired), Ghulam Jeelani Rather S/o Late Abdul Salam Rather R/o Dara, Harwan, Srinagar (then Patwari), Ali Mohammad Dar, (then Patwari, now retired), Nazir Ahmad Palla S/o Ghulam Ahmad Palla R/o Chandpora, Harwan, Bilal Ahmad Dar S/o Abdul Gani Dar R/o 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. (KINS)