Former Patwari chargesheeted for alleged revenue record fraud in Kupwara

Srinagar : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Kashmir on Wednesday said it has filed a chargesheet against a former Patwari, now serving as Naib Tehsildar, for allegedly tampering with revenue records to fraudulently transfer jointly owned ancestral land in Kupwara.

In a statement issued to the news agency, a spokesperson said the EOW Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 33/2021 under Sections 167, 417, 466 and 468 RPC before the Court of Sub-Judge/Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Kupwara, against Leyaket Ali Khan, son of Mehboobullah Khan, then Patwari and presently Naib Tehsildar, a resident of Babapora Haihama in Kupwara.

He said the case pertains to a complaint alleging manipulation of revenue records to fraudulently transfer jointly owned ancestral land in Halqa Haihama/Gundi Sana in favour of the accused and his brother.

The investigation, he said, established that the accused, while serving as Patwari, abused his official position by making false entries in Khasra Girdawari registers, replacing official record pages, and forging revenue documents to misrepresent ownership and possession of the ancestral land.

The spokesperson said that although the alleged attempt to secure wrongful ownership was thwarted due to timely corrective action by the Revenue Department, the investigation found sufficient evidence of offences under Sections 167, 417, 466 and 468 RPC. Accordingly, the chargesheet has been presented before the competent court for judicial adjudication.

He also advised the general public to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report such incidents to the SSP, EOW Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K. Victims of economic fraud may also submit complaints via email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in.—(KNO)