Jammu, Aug 8: The Crime Branch Jammu has filed a chargesheet against an individual accused of encroaching upon over two-and-a-half kanals of state land in Rajouri district four years ago.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch submitted the chargesheet in the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Sunderbani against Yash Paul, a resident of Bhajwal village. The case pertains to alleged encroachment of state land in 2022.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the case was initiated at the Crime Branch (EOW) police station following a written complaint lodged by Acharya Rajesh Kumar Prashar. The complainant alleged that Paul, in collusion with certain revenue and forest officials, had encroached upon state land.
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that mutation number 4193, dated September 5, 2018, had been attested in contravention of government orders. This mutation was subsequently declared null and void from its inception by the Sunderbani Additional Deputy Commissioner in December 2022, after quasi-judicial proceedings. The spokesperson confirmed that the mutation has since been cancelled from the official revenue records.
Mutation, in this context, refers to the formal recording of changes in property ownership or title within the government’s land revenue administration system. It is a crucial step in formalizing land transactions and ownership transfers.
The investigation further revealed that a team comprising revenue officials, accompanied by forest officials, conducted a demarcation of the land in question. The demarcation report, submitted by the revenue officials, confirmed that Yash Paul had encroached upon state land measuring 2 kanal and 11 marla, which is approximately 1,290 square metres, in Bhajwal village.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, the allegations against the accused were substantiated. The investigation has now concluded with the filing of the chargesheet. The chargesheet includes a list of witnesses and seized documents, which will be presented for judicial determination by the court.
The Chenab Times News Desk