ACB Registers FIR Against Govt Official for Corrupt Practices, Fraudulent Land Deals
Srinagar, May 24: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered two FIRs against Girdawar Abdul Majid Malla for disproportionate assets and fraudulent mutations in revenue records, revealing substantial illegal accumulation of properties. Malla, formerly a Patwari Halqa Matipora Pattan and now posted as Girdawar Qanoongo Circle Nowshera Tehsil Boniyar, was found to possess various immovable and movable properties beyond his known sources of income, acquired in his name and his family members’ names.
Verification by the ACB uncovered multiple properties purchased by Malla, including land parcels and a house with a plinth area of 600 sft at Wahigund, Kunzer. Additionally, he has made significant transactions in various bank accounts, which raised further suspicions. Following this, a case FIR No 07/2024 under section 5(1) (e) r/w 5 (2) J&K P.C Act. Svt; 2006 was registered against Malla, leading to searches at his residence where ₹3.80 lakh and other incriminating documents were seized.
Further investigation revealed that Malla purchased more than 16 Kanals of land in Wahigund, Kunzer, which were fraudulently mutated through two oral gift deeds to evade stamp duty and registration fees. These mutations were illegally recorded by Malla and other revenue officers, violating standard protocols.
The accused officers involved in these fraudulent transactions include Bashir Ahmad Reshi, Manzoor Ahmad Khanday, and Altaf Hussain Khan, who facilitated the illegal mutations in collusion with Malla. These officers made unauthorized insertions and alterations in the mutation registers, showing land as orally gifted which was actually purchased.
Specifically, mutation No. 117 was fraudulently modified and recorded to show land as orally gifted to Malla, his wife, and his son. Similarly, mutation No. 123 showed land as gifted to Malla and his brother. Both entries were illegal and aimed at evading financial obligations to the government.
The investigation confirmed that the revenue officers knowingly participated in these fraudulent activities, enabling Malla to avoid paying stamp duties and registration fees, thus causing a significant loss to the government exchequer. The illegal mutations were part of a well-planned conspiracy among the officials and Malla.
As a result, a separate 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 against the implicated revenue officials and Malla. This FIR addresses the fraudulent mutation of properties and the conspiracy to defraud the government.
Both FIRs mark the initiation of extensive investigations into the misconduct and corruption by Malla and the revenue officers, aiming to uncover the full extent of their illegal activities and bring the culprits to justice. Further investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the conspiracy and the assets involved.
