Jammu, Mar 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Crime Branch has registered a case against officials of the revenue department and others for their alleged involvement in irregularities in 20 land acquisition matters in Ramban district.
Officials said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to conduct an in-depth probe into the irregularities involving over 327 kanals of land, with compensation claimed or awarded amounting to about Rs 18.57 crore.
The action follows a written communication from the deputy commissioner of Ramban, forwarded through the Crime Headquarters, seeking an investigation and legal action against officials found involved in the alleged irregularities, they said.
Certain individuals allegedly manipulated revenue records to claim compensation for land recorded as state land, raising serious concerns about the legality and authenticity of such claims, an official said, adding that the land in question is officially recorded as under the ownership and possession of the government.
As many as 20 land acquisition cases involving compensation claims for state land have been identified, officials said.
Based on the preliminary findings, a case has been registered under fraud and the Prevention of Corruption Act against the revenue department officials concerned and other individuals, they said.
