EARLY TIMES REPORT
Srinagar: State High Court has directed Vigilance Organization to submit, by March 30, a detailed status report, case dairies and objection in the illegal transfer of land at Gulmarg by top officials by misusing provision of the Roshni act.
Reports reaching Press Bureau of India said that On March 06, State Vigilance Organization registered a case under appropriate provisions of law against Mehboob Iqbal, then Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan, District Collector, Garib Singh, then Tehsildar, Tangmarg, Farooq Ahmed Lone, then Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, Farooq Ahmed Shah, then Additional deputy Commissioner (now retired), Sarmad Hafiz, Joint Director, Tourism Department, Rafi Ahmad, then Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Baramula and Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Shah, Naib Tehsildar, Kunzar for misuse of official position for illegal transfer of the Gulmarg land, earmarked for development of tourist infrastructure under master plan of Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) to private beneficiaries.
According to reports the accused beneficiaries include Abdul Hamid Dar son of Lassa Dar of Chandilora, Tangmarg, Sayed Musadik Shah son of Syed Maqsood Shah of Ishber, Nishat (Attorney Holder), Mohammad Ibrahim Khan son of Ghulam Hassan of Wazir Bagh, Enar Smith, Nazir Ahmed Mir son of Mohammad Maqbool Mir of Hari Watnoo, Tangmarg, Mohammad Afzal Khanday son of Mohammad Ramzan Khanday of Sopore, Ghulam Mohammad Matoo of Aziz Shah Matoo of Nageen, Mushtaq Ahmed son of Haji Abdul Aziz, Mushtaq Ahmed Burza son of Abdul Ahad Burza, Manzoor Ahmed Burza son of Ghulam Ahmed, (Attorney Holders).
Three of the accused –Abdul Hamid Dar, Nazir Ahmed Mir, Manzoor Ahmed—filed a petition in the High court challenging the registration of case and proceedings against them.
The counsel of the accused, Zaffar Ahmed Shah pleaded before the court that the ownership of the land has not been provided to his clients.
The public prosecutor Nissar Hussain Shah argued that a conspiracy was hatched by the beneficiaries and the officials to illegally transfer the case. He said that the then Divisional Kashmir had no role in implementation of Roshni act.
After hearing the pleas from both the side Justice Hakeem Imtiyaaz Hussain directed the anti-corruption body to submit a status report, case diaries and objection before 30 March.
“Before any interim relief is granted in favour accused Vigilance Organisation Kashmir is directed to file case diaries, status report regarding progress of investigation,” Justice Imtiyaaz said.
The Vigilance Organisation was also directed to file objections. The case will come next on March 30.
Pertinently, the Additional Session Judge had already rejected the anticipatory bail application of former Deputy Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Baseer Khan. |
