ACB Registers Two FIRs Against Girdawar for Disproportionate Assets and Fraudulent Land Mutations in J&K
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of J&K announced on Friday that it has registered two FIRs against a Girdawar for disproportionate assets and fraudulent mutations in revenue records.
According to a statement given to the Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ACB verified allegations of disproportionate assets acquired through corrupt practices by Abdul Majid Sheikh, a Patwari Halqa Matipora Pattan, currently serving as Girdawar Qanoongo Circle Nowshera Tehsil Boniyar. The verification revealed that Sheikh possesses various disproportionate assets, including immovable and movable properties acquired in his and his family’s names. These properties include multiple plots of land in Wahigund, Kunzer, and Pattan, Baramulla, as well as a double-storey house and other assets. Additionally, Sheikh has suspicious transactions in several bank accounts.
As a result of the probe, FIR No. 07/2024 under section 5(1)(e) r/w 5(2) J&K P.C Act Svt; 2006 was registered at PS ACB Baramulla against Abdul Majid Sheikh. Searches conducted at his residence uncovered Rs 3.80 lakh in cash and other incriminating documents, which were seized.
Further verification revealed that Sheikh had purchased over 16 Kanals of land through fraudulent mutations to evade stamp duty and registration fees. The accused, in collusion with revenue officers Bashir Ahmad Reshi, Manzoor Ahmad Khanday, and Altaf Hussain Khan, illegally entered oral gift mutations in the revenue records, showing the land as gifted to Sheikh and his family members. These entries were made through illegal insertions and manipulations in the mutation register.
The verification disclosed that the involved revenue officers abused their positions and conspired with Sheikh to evade stamp duty and registration charges, resulting in undue pecuniary gains and significant losses to the government. Consequently, FIR No. 08 under section 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) J&K PC Act Svt-2006 and sections 467, 468, 471, 120-B of RPC was registered at ACB PS Baramulla against the three revenue officials and Sheikh. Investigations into both cases are ongoing.
