Land Fraud case : CBK raids multiple locations, FIR filed against former tehsildar

Srinagar, July 17: The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) has launched a probe into a major land fraud case, registering an FIR against seven individuals, including a former tehsildar, for their alleged role in illegal land deals involving forgery and manipulation of revenue records.As per officials search operations were carried out on Thursday at seven premises spread across Srinagar and Budgam districts. Addressing the media at the Crime Branch headquarters in Srinagar, SSP Crime Branch Abdul Wahid Shah revealed that the case pertains to fraudulent land transactions in the Balhama area.According to Shah, the investigation began following a complaint by a woman who claimed she had been cheated during a land deal. She reported having purchased 5 kanals and 4 marlas of land for Rs 88.4 lakh from one Mohammad Shafi Lone alias Shafi Cheeni and had also exchanged 2 kanals of land located in Gooripora Rawalpora.However, after the initial transaction, the original sale deeds were taken back by the sellers under the pretext of ‘record updation.’ When returned, the documents had allegedly been altered with incorrect khasra numbers. The complainant later found that a portion of the land had been occupied by another individual who claimed he had lawfully purchased it.During the preliminary investigation, the CBK discovered that the sale documents had indeed been tampered with, and survey numbers were fraudulently changed to reflect different ownership. It is suspected that this was done with the connivance of certain revenue officials.The then tehsildar of Balhama, Nusrat Aziz, and patwari Ashiq Ali have been named in the case for allegedly facilitating the illegal transfer of land in favour of an accused identified as Riyaz Ahmad Bhat of Nowgam. Five other individuals have also been implicated, including Mohammad Shafi Lone, his wife Shamima Akhter, Shahnawaz Ahmad Rather of Padshahi Bagh, and Shabir Ahmad Wani of Bagander Lasjan.FIR (No. 14/2025) has been registered at the Crime Branch Police Station under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code, including 167 and 120-B, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.SSP Shah also noted that Nusrat Aziz, the former tehsildar, is not new to controversy. She is already facing trial in another case (FIR No. 08/2021) involving similar allegations of forgery, cheating, and misuse of official position.“This pattern indicates the possibility of an organised group involved in deceiving unsuspecting buyers through forged revenue documents and manipulated mutations,” the SSP said.Searches at the homes and offices of the accused were conducted following warrants issued by a competent court. Authorities said the evidence collected during these raids will aid in building the case further. More arrests and legal action are likely as the investigation progresses.Officials have urged the public to remain cautious in land transactions and report any suspicious dealings, especially where revenue officials are found to be facilitating private land deals.