Crime Branch Kashmir’s Large-Scale Operation
In a significant move against land fraud and corruption, the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) conducted extensive raids across Srinagar and Budgam districts. Acting on a detailed complaint, authorities registered an FIR against seven individuals, including a former Tehsildar and other officials, for their involvement in a complex land fraud case. This operation follows a series of investigations into forged sales deeds, manipulated records, and fraudulent property mutations.
The Origins: Victim’s Complaint Exposes a Fraudulent Network
The case was set into motion by a complaint from a woman who alleged severe deception by the accused. She reported that after purchasing 5 kanals and 4 marlas of land in Balhama for Rs 88.4 lakh from Mohammad Shafi Lone (also known as Shafi Cheeni), she later exchanged 2 kanals of land in Gooripora Rawalpora. The complainant recounted how, after the accused took back the original sale deeds, supposedly for ‘Record Updation,’ they returned them with altered and forged khasra (survey) numbers. This tampered documentation subsequently allowed the forcible occupation of her land, as another party claimed prior ownership through separate, fraudulent documents.
Investigation Details: Patterns of Forgery and Collusion
The initial findings of CBK unveiled deliberate tampering in the sale deeds, with the khasra/survey numbers being manipulated to confer illegitimate ownership. The then Tehsildar and Patwari of Balhama allegedly played pivotal roles in facilitating these illegal changes. Notably, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, one of the accused, seems to have benefited directly from this collusion, receiving illegal ownership of a portion of the land. Preliminary evidence suggests a concerted effort by several parties to deceive not only the complainant, but also to manipulate the broader land records system in the region.
The Accused and Legal Proceedings
The FIR (No. 14/2025 at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir) names seven individuals, highlighting the depth of institutional involvement:
- Nusrat Aziz: Then Tehsildar, Balhama
- Ashiq Ali: Then Patwari, Balhama
- Riyaz Ahmad Bhat: Resident of Nowgam, Srinagar
- Mohammad Shafi Lone (Shafi Cheeni): Resident of Peerbagh
- Shamima Akhter: Wife of Shafi Lone
- Shahnawaz Ahmad Rather: Resident of Padshahi Bagh
- Shabir Ahmad Wani: Resident of Bagander Lasjan
The cases have been registered under sections 167 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (related to public servant framing incorrect documents and criminal conspiracy) along with Section 5(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, signifying serious offences relating to fraud and abuse of public office.
Ongoing Raids and Investigations
Building momentum from the evidence collected, the CBK executed search warrants at seven different locations simultaneously across Srinagar and Budgam. These searches are part of an expanding investigation aiming to recover further incriminating evidence and to uncover the entire network involved.
During a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Crime Branch, Abdul Wahid Shah, emphasized that these actions were essential in curbing systemic land fraud. He highlighted that the current findings reveal only a fraction of the network and additional arrests and intensified legal action are likely as the investigation progresses.
Previous Offences and Institutional Rot
A particularly alarming aspect is that the former Tehsildar, Nusrat Aziz, is already under trial for similar offences under FIR No. 08/2021, involving forgery, cheating and corruption. This recurrence suggests not an isolated incident, but rather a pattern of organized crime within official circles. SSP Shah admitted that such cases point to a widespread, organized nexus, systematically deceiving land buyers in Srinagar and adjacent districts.
Broader Implications: Public Awareness and Legal Safeguards
The unfolding of this land fraud case serves as a stark reminder to property buyers about the risks of manipulated land records and the importance of due diligence. It also poses difficult questions regarding oversight and accountability in revenue offices and among public servants involved in land administration in Kashmir.
Crime Branch Kashmir Against Organized Land Fraud
The ongoing crackdown by the Crime Branch Kashmir against organized land fraud marks a crucial attempt to restore public faith in the land records system and to bring those exploiting administrative loopholes to justice. As the investigation expands, authorities promise more arrests and stringent legal measures, signaling a strong stance against corruption and property fraud in the region.
