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| ACB presents challan against former JMC Commissioner, others for building permission scam | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 20: The Anticorruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu presented a challan against the former JMC (Jammu Municipal Corporation) Commissioner, Kiran Wattal, and others under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K P.C. Act Svt. 2006 and Section 120-B of the RPC (Ranbir Penal Code).
The case pertains to allegations of illegal granting of building permission for a residential and commercial structure at Ghumat Chowk, Jammu. The complainant claimed that the applicants, Pardeep Kumar and Kuldeep Kumar, obtained the permission illegally and against the prescribed procedure of the Municipal Corporation Jammu.
During the verification process, it was discovered that objections were raised by the ACR (Assistant Commissioner Revenue) Jammu, AC Nazool (Assistant Commissioner Nazool), and the Town Planning Section, stating that the land in question was a Temple land with no revenue entry recorded in the applicants' names. It was also noted that the case was not referred to UTEIC (Urban Transport Environment Improvement Committee), as suggested by the Town Planning Wing. However, the Senior Town Planner, Mrs. Farzana Naqshbandi, recommended and forwarded the case to the then Municipal Commissioner, Kiran Wattal, who approved the building permission without considering the objections raised by the ACR Jammu and AC Nazool. This act was done deliberately and with malafide intentions, as the building permission was issued on the last day of Kiran Wattal's posting.
Further investigation revealed discrepancies in the plot area mentioned by the applicants and the actual construction. The applicants stated a total plot area of 2635 sq.ft in their application, but on-site inspection showed that the entire area was under construction with no vacant land. The inspection report also mentioned a false claim of a GI shed being used for making wooden pillars, which was not present on the plot. Additionally, the land in question was state land acquired by Rani Blori Temple during the rule of the Maharaja, but the officers relied on a lease deed with no specific Khasra number and granted the permission illegally, resulting in a pecuniary advantage for the beneficiaries.
Based on the investigation, the individual liability of accused public servants was established. Kiran Wattal, the former Municipal Commissioner, was found to have abused his official position and approved the building permission despite the absence of necessary NOCs (No Objection Certificates) and objections raised by the Revenue Authority. Farzana Naqshbandi, the Senior Town Planner, processed the building permission case without clarifying the objections raised by the Revenue Authority and recommended approval, even though the NOCs were unclear. Charges under relevant sections of the J&K P.C. Act and RPC have been established against both Kiran Wattal and Farzana Naqshbandi.
It is important to note that Kuldeep Kumar, one of the accused beneficiaries, has passed away. Therefore, chargesheets have been filed against the accused persons, except for Kuldeep Kumar, as the proceedings in his case have abated. Since Kiran Wattal and Farzana Naqshbandi have retired from government service, no prosecution sanction is required.
This information is based on the reported news, and for the most accurate and up-to-date details, it is recommended to refer to official sources or news outlets covering the case. |
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