Srinagar, Oct 11 : Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau has initiated a major criminal investigation after uncovering a large-scale scam involving the illegal exchange and manipulation of valuable evacuee land in Srinagar.

A spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the investigation has brought to light serious irregularities and fraudulent acts allegedly committed by officials of the Revenue Department and the Custodian Evacuee Property Department, in active collusion with private individuals, for unlawful enrichment.

“Reliable information was received by the Bureau indicating that certain officers had facilitated the exchange of prime evacuee property measuring approximately 17 marlas and located on the highly valuable Gupkar Road, Srinagar with land of comparatively lesser worth at another site,” the statement reads.

It added that the exchange was executed without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Defence Estates Office and in blatant violation of the directions of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir as well as established government procedures regulating such transactions.

“Enquiry conducted by the ACB revealed that the involved public servants had deliberately ignored legal requirements, manipulated land records, and colluded with private parties to facilitate the unlawful swap. These actions were aimed at extending undue benefits to select beneficiaries while causing wrongful loss to the state exchequer,” the statement added.

The probe has revealed that official records were tampered and falsified, particularly revenue extracts and tenancy columns, to conceal the true nature of ownership and tenancy rights. “Certain officials attested and verified false revenue entries and enabled the registration of evacuee property in private names. The value of the exchanged properties was grossly disproportionate, with the evacuee land on Gupkar Road being of high commercial and strategic importance,” it reads.

The statement added that mandatory scrutiny by competent authorities and NOC from the Defence Estates were deliberately bypassed, indicating a premeditated conspiracy among involved officials and private beneficiaries. “The acts amount to criminal misconduct, abuse of official position, forgery, and conspiracy to cause wrongful gain to private individuals and wrongful loss to the government. The illegal actions have not only resulted in substantial financial loss to the government but also compromised the integrity of official custodianship over evacuee properties/assets meant to remain under state protection,” it added.

Based on the findings, a case under FIR number 19/2025 has been registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under section 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) of J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and Section 120-B of RPC.

“The investigation is ongoing to identify the complete chain of conspiracy, determine the extent of illegal financial transactions, and establish individual roles and responsibilities. Further arrests and departmental actions are expected as the case progresses,” the spokesman said.

The Bureau has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any instance of corruption or illegal activity involving public servants to its helpline or through official ACB communication channels—(KNO)