Charge Sheet Filed Against MP Aga Syed Ruhullah and 21 Others by J&K ACB

Synopsis

The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau has presented a charge sheet against 22 individuals, including MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, for fraudulently manipulating Revenue records in Budgam district, leading to significant financial losses to the state.

Key Takeaways

Charge sheet filed against 22 individuals.
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi involved.
Fraudulent payments linked to altered Revenue records.
Significant losses to the state treasury.
Judicial review initiated by ACB.

Srinagar, April 13 (NationPress) The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a charge sheet against 22 individuals, including MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, for engaging in the withdrawal of fraudulent payments by manipulating and altering the Revenue records in Budgam district.

An ACB spokesperson stated, "The Anti-Corruption Bureau submitted a charge sheet to the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption in Srinagar regarding Case FIR No. 18/2009 under Section 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) of J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and Section 120-B, 467, 468, 471 RPC against the 22 accused, which include two Collectors of LAWDA, four retired public servants, and 16 beneficiaries.

The case was initiated following a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) by ACB into allegations of abuse of official authority by various officers and officials from the Rukhs and Farms Department, Kashmir.

During the JSC focusing on compensation payments aimed at rehabilitating Dal dwellers under Government Order No. 56-Rev(S) of 2006, it was uncovered that officials from the Revenue and Agriculture Departments had conspired with specific beneficiaries (Kamas/tenants) to fraudulently inflate land records to claim higher compensation amounts, as noted in the statement from ACB.

These officials misused their positions to exhibit inflated land holdings for beneficiaries, resulting in unwarranted payments and financial losses to the state treasury.

Officials from Rakhs and Farms, in collusion with members of the LAWDA and Revenue Department, managed to enhance the reported land area of tenants (Kamas) through tampering and insertions in the revenue documents.

Through these fraudulent mutations, land possession was exaggerated to 60 kanals instead of 6 kanals under Khasra No. 1692, 40 kanals instead of 4 kanals under Khasra No. 1666/750, and 07 kanal-10 Marlas instead of 2 kanals under Khasra No. 1736. This inflation led to excessive payments totaling Rs 38.20 lakh to the Kamas/tenants, showcasing the officials' abuse of authority and resulting in losses to the State Exchequer.

The charge sheet has been submitted for judicial review before the court of the Special Anti-Corruption Judge in Srinagar, as reported by the ACB spokesperson.