The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a land fraud case, leading to the judicial custody of two accused.
The accused have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat of Babapora Qazigund, Kulgam, and Mohammad Yousuf Dar of Khandipahari, Harnag in Anantnag. The chargesheet was submitted before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Anantnag.
The case originated from a complaint alleging that Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, then Patwari of Halqa Khandipahari, conspired with the complainant’s brothers to fraudulently mutate land under Khewat Nos. 05 and 07 at Khandipahari Harnag—despite the property being under litigation with a status quo order on record.
Investigations revealed that the Patwari not only suppressed vital information but also enabled the sale of part of the disputed land by preparing fake mutations. Co-accused Mohammad Yousuf Dar was also found to have arranged a forged gift deed allegedly signed by his mother, while the listed witnesses denied their signatures.
The complainant further accused the Patwari of demanding money for issuing revenue extracts and claimed that senior officers failed to act on his grievance.
After verifying the allegations, police registered FIR No. 45/2015 under Sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B RPC and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. With the investigation concluded, the case has been chargesheeted for trial.
Both accused have been remanded to judicial custody. The Crime Branch has also advised the public to remain vigilant against fraud and economic offences.
