Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar: DD, The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has uncovered a major scam involving the illegal exchange of prime evacuee property on Gupkar Road, Srinagar, one of the city’s most prized and strategically sensitive localities.
Senior government officials from the Revenue and Custodian Evacuee Property departments are among those accused of orchestrating the manipulation in collaboration with private beneficiaries.
During a press briefing, Senior Superintendent of Police, ACB, Javid Hassan, said that around 17 marlas of evacuee land were unlawfully traded for a property of considerably lower value elsewhere. The land swap, he noted, was executed without securing the mandatory No Objection Certificate from the Defence Estates Office, and in direct violation of Jammu and Kashmir High Court directives.
Investigations have revealed that the officials allegedly falsified land records, altered tenancy columns, and forged revenue extracts to mask the real ownership and push through the fraudulent transaction.
The ACB said these actions point toward a well-planned conspiracy designed to grant undue benefits to select individuals while causing financial harm to the government.
“The manipulation of records and deliberate evasion of scrutiny mechanisms indicate clear abuse of authority and criminal intent,” an official familiar with the case said.
The Bureau has registered FIR No. 19/2025 at its Srinagar Police Station 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.
Officials confirmed that the probe is ongoing to identify the full chain of involvement, trace monetary trails, and determine accountability. The ACB hinted that more arrests and departmental actions are imminent as investigators continue to examine the financial and procedural irregularities surrounding the case. [KNT]