Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Tehsildar Nusrat Aziz, accused of playing a key role in a well-planned conspiracy involving fraudulent land mutations worth over ?88 lakh in Srinagar. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, while pronouncing the order, held that given the gravity of allegations, the stage of investigation, and the nature of offences- including cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption- the petitioner was "not entitled to concession of anticipatory bail." The case stems from a complaint by Dilafroz Buch of Rawalpora, who alleged that she purchased 5 kanals and 4 marlas of land at Balhama in 2012 through bank payments and exchange of land. However, after the sale deeds were returned for "updation," the documents were allegedly tampered with by revenue officials in connivance with private parties. Investigations by the Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch) Srinagar revealed that a false mutation (No. 2163/1) had been illegally inserted in revenue records by then Tehsildar Nusrat Aziz and a Patwari, to benefit one Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, who subsequently sold part of the land to another buyer. During searches, incriminating documents and the Tehsildar's passport were seized. The petitioner contended that she was being falsely implicated due to personal vendetta and sought relief on grounds of long service, clean image, health condition, and being a woman. She also argued that her earlier bail plea was dismissed in "hot haste." However, the High Court, citing Supreme Court precedents on anticipatory bail, held that innocence claims cannot be treated as gospel truth at this stage and that the investigation must proceed freely. "The nature of accusation, gravity of offence, and stage of investigation do not warrant anticipatory bail," the Court ruled, dismissing the plea. (JNF) |
