The CBI has re-registered J&K ACB FIR in connection with the alleged irregularities committed in transfer of land under the Roshni Scheme against 13 persons of Pulwama, including seven then officials posted in the district like the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama and his subordinates.

The then Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo, the then Additional Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama Iftikhar-ul Hasnain, the then Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Mohammad Rajab Bhatt, the then Tehsildar Mohammad Hussain, the then Naib Tehsildar, Kakpora, Mohammad Maqbool Ahanger, the then Girdawar, Kakpora, Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh and the then Patwari Halqa , Kakpora, Abdul Razak Wagey  have been named in the FIR.

In addition, private persons named in the FIR are Ahmad Pandith, Nabi Naikoo, Mohammad Amin Pandith, Dr Farhat Pandith, Abdul Majid Sheikh and Ghulam Rasool Wani.

The accused have been booked under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Ranbir Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

“In pursuance of the J&K High Court, FIR No 29/2015 OF Police Station-VOK, now ACB, J&K is re-registered,” reads the FIR.

An audit report of the Principal Accountant General (Audit) alleged irregularities committed in the transfer of land under the Roshni scheme. The report revealed that the officers and officials of Revenue department of Pulwama have by abuse and misuse of their official position as public servants conferred undue pecuniary benefit upon the illegal occupants of state land by arbitrarily fixing the price of land which was lower than the prevailing market rate of the area, incorrect application of rates and unauthorised change of classification of land from residential to agricultural.

Verification revealed that the ownership rights of the state land measuring six Kanals, 10 Marlas and four Sirsai was transferred in the name of the six accused persons under Jammu and Kashmir State Land (vesting of ownership) Act, 2001, it added.