Srinagar, Nov 27: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a significant land fraud case, leading to the judicial custody of two accused persons, officials said today.
The chargesheet, produced before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Anantnag, names Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, son of Ali Mohammad Bhat, resident of Babapora Qazigund (then Patwari Halqa Khandipahari Anantnag), and Mohammad Yousuf Dar, son of Ghulam Ahmad Dar, resident of Khandipahari, Harnag, Anantnag.
According to officials, the case stems from a complaint alleging that Patwari Mushtaq Bhat conspired with the complainant’s brothers to fraudulently mutate land under Khewat Nos. 05 and 07 in Khandipahari Harnag. The land was under litigation, with a status quo order issued by the court clearly reflected in revenue records. Despite this, the Patwari allegedly concealed material facts, facilitated the illegal sale of a portion of the land, and prepared fraudulent mutations.
Investigators also found that co-accused Mohammad Yousuf Dar procured a fake and forged gift deed purportedly executed by his mother. The individuals falsely shown as witnesses denied any knowledge of the transaction.
The complainant further alleged that the Patwari demanded money in exchange for copies of revenue extracts, and that no action was taken despite repeated complaints to senior revenue authorities.
Based on the enquiry, the allegations were found prima facie true, after which FIR No. 45/2015 under sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B RPC and 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir.
Following the investigation, the EOW has now submitted the chargesheet for court scrutiny. The Special Judge has remanded both accused to judicial lock-up.
