Srinagar Oct 11 :
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched a criminal investigation into a large-scale evacuee property land scam involving senior government officials and private beneficiaries. The case centers on the illegal exchange and manipulation of prime evacuee land located on Gupkar Road, one of Srinagar’s most valuable areas.
While addressing press conference as per KNS, Senior Superintendent Police, ACB Javid Hassan said that officials from the Revenue Department and the Custodian Evacuee Property Department colluded with private individuals to execute an unlawful land swap. About 17 marlas of evacuee land were exchanged with property of far lesser value at another site.
The exchange was carried out without the mandatory No Objection Certificate from the Defence Estates Office and in violation of Jammu and Kashmir High Court directions. Investigators found that the officials deliberately ignored legal procedures, falsified land records, and approved fake revenue entries to benefit private parties.
The enquiry revealed that tenancy columns and revenue extracts were tampered with to disguise ownership details.
The evacuee property on Gupkar Road holds both high commercial and strategic value, making the manipulation a serious breach of public trust.
The ACB found that mandatory scrutiny and NOC requirements were intentionally bypassed, pointing to a premeditated conspiracy. The alleged acts constitute criminal misconduct, forgery, abuse of position, and conspiracy, causing significant financial loss to the government.
An FIR No. 19/2025 has been registered at ACB Police Station Srinagar under sections 5(1)(d) read with 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and Section 120-B of the RPC.
The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full conspiracy, trace illegal financial transactions, and fix individual accountability. The ACB has stated that further arrests and departmental actions are likely.
The Bureau urged citizens to stay alert and report any corruption or illegal dealings involving public servants through its official helpline and communication channels.(KNS)