Big Blot: Various Departments Come Togather to Facilitate Monumental Corruption

A Report by Meer Altaf

In a shocking turn of events, and building upon our previous investigation in which we had revealed how a real estate mogul, currently the proprietor of Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh, Zakura Hazratbal, has filled up an irrigation canal that has lead way to encroachment of 40 Kanals of land–it has come to light by accessing various revenue records and SMC documents that a 12 Kanal patch of land was cut off from the colony and sold to an entrepreneur who is currently building a gigantic four storey commercial structure in a notified residential area.

As already stated in our previous investigation that an irrigation canal traversing right from Gulab Bagh down to Dargah Hazratbal has been completely filled up, paving the way for encroachments of more than 400 Kanals of land, out of which a real estate Mogul, i.e., the proprietor of Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh, has encroached more than 40 Kanals of land, and in connivance with the revenue department and officials of Srinagar Municipal Corporation are now violating the ban imposed on the construction at the said site. The revenue officials and SMC Ward Officer (Ward 14) Mr. Mir Mustafa, have hatched a criminal conspiracy with the owner of the said plot of land and sold a 12 Kanal patch from the said colony land to a businessman who is currently constructing an illegal four storey commercial building at the site.

The court of Jammu and Kashmir had imposed the ban on any manner of construction at the said colony in the year 2018, and since then, no permission for any construction was granted by SMC, though dozens of buildings have come up illegally at the Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh in these past few years. However, the owner of the colony, a businessman having family relations with a big political dynasty in Kashmir cut off a 12 Kanal patch of land, and this was sold to a person who is currently building an illegal four storey commercial building at the site.

When QNS ascertained the satellite images from last one year, it turned out bright as the day that the land for the building was carved out from the said colony itself as can been seen in the picture (pic 1) wherein the outer boundary wall remains common for both the Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh (colony) and the aforementioned patch of land.

While speaking about the issue with Quick News Service (QNS), a local activist named Javid Ahmad voiced serious concerns as the matter is of grave concern and a serious act of corruption and perversion of law on multiple levels and fronts.

“The owner of the colony knew that such a gigantic building cannot be built illegally, and that too when the local residents were totally against any manner of commercial activity in their area. Therefore, in league with the revenue officials first, he circumvented the ban of honorable court and sold 12 Kanal patch from the colony to a commercial enterprise. Then, the buyer secured a permission from Srinagar Municipal Corporation for the construction of a double storey residential house, though as you can see a gigantic four storey building is being erected with lift and all other commercial parameters. This is an immensely blatant act of malpractice and intentional oversight to facilitate corruption and perversion,” Mr. Javid Ahmad added further.

The said commercial building, standing at the back of the Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh is also in violation of the bogus building permission that was granted in violation of every possible law of the land. The permission was granted for only a double storey residential house, though, the building is prima facie commercial in nature and exceeds way more than the parameters set in the permission. It’s also in violation of the Building Bylaws 2021 and Srinagar Masterplan 2035.

Furthermore, it stands on the demarcated land encroached from the irrigation canal that was filled by the owner of the canal in league with employees of Revenue, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and I&FC (Irrigation and Floor Control).

The Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh, a real estate property of more than 200 Kanals at Zakura Hazratbal, was purchased by the real estate mogul from the heirs of Makhan Lal Dhar in the aftermath of the Pandit Exodus from Kashmir valley, and at that time, the irrigation canal that stood between 12-15 feet wide, was being used by the local farmers to water their fields. The land stood barren for many decades, and a few years ago, the new owner decided to transform it into a residential colony.

Thus, in the pursuit of transforming the Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh into a residential colony, the owner filled up the irrigation canal which eventually dried the whole canal system, and led to the encroachment of irrigation land downstream as well. Currently, the canal stands non-existent on site, and only mentioned in the revenue records of the area.

However, outside the Makhan Lal Dhar Bagh, the canal is totally visible and the locals have built various small bridges over it.

When QNS questioned the concerned Patwari, Mr. Ashiq regarding the alleged fraud that not only violates the court order, but also various other government norms, the said official feigned ignorance and said that during his tenure, he has maintained the status quo and these frauds must have been carried out by his predecessors.

Moreover, upon having not received the satisfactory explanation from the concerned Patwari, when QNS contacted Mr. Zubair Ahmad, Tehsildar North, Srinagar, he assured most strict punitive action will be taken against those who have made the mockery of the law.

Furthermore, the concerned Ward officer of ward 14, Mr. Mir Mustafa, refused to comment except adding that the building was being built according to the permission and that he was concerned only whether the building has any permission; how that permission has been secured, is not in his jurisdiction.

Further, when we attempted to reach the concerned official from the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control, J&K, the Officer was not available for the comments.

The construction of the said building is in violation of various norms. Firstly, it’s being built upon the land encroached from the irrigation canal, secondly, it’s being constructed upon the land where a ban of honorable court of J&K stands enforced since year 2018, and while the permission has been secured illegally, and through perversion, it’s in violation of that very permission.

It’s a clasic example of official apathy and big blot on the slogan of corruption free Jammu and Kashmir. It remains to be seen whether power, muscle, and money will stand its ground, now that, the matter has been raised for the consideration of the higher official of Lieutenant Governor’s administration.