SVO books businessman, revenue officials

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: State Vigilance Organization today booked a prominent businessman and revenue officers/officials of Jammu district under Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 17 of J&K Land (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act.
According to the FIR, revenue officials of Jammu district by abusing their official position  conferred ownership rights with regard to land measuring 5 kanal and 1 marlas in Khasra No. 781 situated at village Deeli, on a prominent businessman.
The FIR said that during the verification conducted into the complaint in this regard it came to fore that regularization of State land was made illegally merely on the report of field revenue staff and in clear violation of Section 5(2) of J&K State Land (vesting of ownership to the occupants) Act, which states that the application for conferment of ownership rights with regard to State land shall be accompanied by documentary proof to the effect that applicant is an occupant of a particular category of State land in question along with extract of Girdwari entry existing in his name where as the applicant was having no documentary proof in support of his claim.
During the course of verification, it was found that despite having knowledge that the land in question was transferred to JDA, the then Vice-Chairman JDA issued NOC in favour of the beneficiary for construction of commercial building on said land.
“The acts of commission and ommission on the part of public servants and others prima-facie disclose commission of offences punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act and 120-B RPC and Section 17 of the J&K State Land (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act.