STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated a large-scale criminal investigation into a major land scam involving the illegal exchange and manipulation of prime evacuee property land in Srinagar.
The case, according to ACB officials, exposes a deep-rooted nexus between certain government officers and private beneficiaries, who allegedly conspired to unlawfully transfer high-value state-owned land for personal enrichment.
An ACB spokesperson said that reliable information was received indicating that a group of officers from the Revenue Department and the Custodian Evacuee Property Department had facilitated an illegal exchange of evacuee property measuring 5 kanals and 5 marlas for proprietary land measuring 5 kanals and 17 marlas located along the highly valuable Gupkar Road in Srinagar.
“The exchange was carried out without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Defence Estates Office and in blatant violation of the directions of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as established government procedures governing evacuee property,” the ACB official stated.
Preliminary inquiry conducted by the Bureau revealed that the involved public servants had deliberately ignored legal procedures, manipulated land records, and colluded with private parties to execute the illegal swap. “It was found that official records were tampered with – including revenue extracts and tenancy columns – to conceal the real ownership details. Certain officials attested and verified false entries, thereby enabling the transfer of evacuee property into private names,” the official added.
The investigation has established that the evacuee land situated at Gupkar Road holds substantial commercial and strategic value, and the exchange was carried out at a grossly disproportionate rate, inflicting huge losses on the state exchequer. The deliberate omission of mandatory scrutiny by the competent authorities and the absence of an NOC from the Defence Estates clearly indicate a premeditated conspiracy among the accused officials and beneficiaries.
“The actions of the accused amount to criminal misconduct, abuse of official position, forgery, and conspiracy – all intended to grant undue benefits to private individuals at the cost of public property,” the ACB spokesperson said. “This illegal act has not only caused significant financial loss to the government but also compromised the sanctity and protection of evacuee assets that are meant to remain under state custody.”
Based on the inquiry findings, a formal case under FIR No. 19/2025 has been registered at Police Station ACB 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 Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The ACB has begun extensive investigation to trace the full chain of conspiracy, identify all officials and private persons involved, and determine the extent of illegal financial transactions linked to the case. “The investigation is progressing swiftly, and further arrests and departmental actions are expected as evidence unfolds,” the ACB official confirmed.
Reiterating the Bureau’s commitment to eradicating corruption from the system, the spokesperson urged the public to remain alert and report any instance of misuse of official authority or corrupt practice. “People can approach the ACB through its official helplines or communication channels to share information on corruption-related matters,” the official said, adding that strict legal action will continue against those involved in compromising public trust and state property.