Three Illegal Mutations at Dhami village cancelled, land grabbers, encroachers, delinquent officials to be taken to task; inquiry ordered
- Q District Collector Sachin Kumar Vaishya takes decisive action against fraudulent land transactions, nullifying three illegal mutations at Dhami village, Nagrota.
- Concerned officials, including Tehsildar Jammu, face inquiry and potential disciplinary action for attesting fraudulent mutations contrary to Government Order No. 254-C of 1965.
- DC Jammu warns land grabbers and encroachers of severe punishment, asserting zero tolerance for illegal activities within his jurisdiction.
- Â Detailed investigation exposes fraudulent mutations attested on non-agricultural land, prompting immediate cancellation and corrective measures to restore integrity to land records.
- Â DC Sachin Kumar Vaishya’s proactive stance highlights the commitment to upholding the law and rectifying past irregularities, setting a precedent for accountability and transparency in land administration.
- Â DC’s swift action underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing systemic corruption, sending a clear message that no individual or official is above the law when it comes to protecting state resources from exploitation.
Mohit Mehra
Jammu, February 10: Serving yet another death blow to land grabbers, encroachers and delinquent officials, the District Collector (DC) Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya today ordered cancellation of illegal Mutations viz Nos. 597, 599 and 601 falling under Khasra No 118,210 and 210-Min at Village Dhami, Tehsil Nagrota, contrary to the provisions of Government Order No 254-C of 1965, vide his order No. DCJ/Rdr/2023-24/372-77 dated 10-02-2024.
In his order, the DC, exercising his powers under Land Revenue Act Svt. 1996, while setting aside the Mutation Nos. 597,599 and 601 has ordered an inquiry and directed the Tehsildar Nagrota to correct the relevant records viz Jamabandi, Mutation Register and Register Khasra Girdawari and submit the action taken report within two days and also share the names of the delinquent officials who entered the impugned mutations in illegal manner for further action.
It is worth mentioning here that Jammu Jottings in an exclusive report in its February 03, 2024 edition under headline, “Are Revenue, Forest Departments Helpless Against Land Grabbers?”, had listed the wrongdoings by the then Revenue officials by issuing illegal mutations of a ‘Gair Mumkin Passi’ at Dhami village in Nagrota to favour some landgrabbers, contrary to the provisions of Government Order No 254-C of 1965,which was meant for the rehabilitation of displaced families of 1947, 1965 and 1971, who then encroached upon State and Forest land to construct a building throwing rules and regulations to winds under the very nose of the district administration.
Acting swiftly on the news report and complaints, the DC Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya had ordered an inquiry and after going through the records and providing opportunity to the concerned parties came to conclusion that a big fraud was committed by issuing illegal mutations under the above-mentioned Mutation Nos of a land that actually belonged to state with a portion under the occupation of Forest Department.
It may be recalled that DC Jammu who has taken a tough stand against land grabbers, encroachers and delinquent officials and has warned that no such illegal activity would be allowed in his jurisdiction under any circumstances adding those found involved, whether private parties or government officials would be dealt with severely and punished according to law of the land.
He has also warned others that more action will follow in the days to come and any violation of law anywhere in Jammu district would not be tolerated and strict action will be taken.
Recently the DC Jammu had ordered nullification of land mutation marked No 42 dated October 03, 2005 where some people had claimed ownership of 48 Kanals 07 Marlas land in village Paragpur, tehsil Akhnoor.
This news was also reported by Jammu Jottings on February 04, 2024 under headline “District Magistrate Jammu Takes Firm Stand Against Land Mutation Irregularities”.
Meanwhile ordering the cancellation of illegal mutations at Dhami village in Nagrota, the DC Jammu while taking cognizance of complaint says in its order that it has come to his notice that mutation Nos. 597,599 and 601 under Khasra No 118, 210 and 210-Min in village Dhami in Nagrota Tehsil were attested in a fraudulent manner, contrary to Government Order No. 254-C of 1965.
He further says that a report from Tehsildar Nagrota vide his No The-Nag/OQ/2023-34/1188-90 dated 05-02-2024 states that mutation No 597 under Government Order No 254-C of 1965 was attested by the then Tehsildar Jammu dated 20-11-2007 on land measuring 15 Kanals bearing Khasra No 210-Min at village Dhami wherein the ownership rights were conferred in favour of Ishri Devi widow of Azad Ram R/O Manhor-Gopala, Tehsil and District Samba, Refugee year 1947.
Similarly, Mutation No 599 under 254-C was also attested dated 08-11-2009 on land measuring 15 Kanal under Khasra No 210-Min and 15 Kanal under Khasra No 118, total 30 Kanals with ownership rights in favour of Romesh Kumar S/OGian Chand R/O Chak Mange, tehsil Samba at present (A/P) Dhami.
The Mutation No 610 under 254-C was also attested on 08-11-2009 on land 12 Kanals under Khasra No 210-Min at Dhami with ownership rights in favour of Guddi Devi@Amro Devi D/O Hira Ram R/O Chak Mange, Tehsil Samba A/P Dhami.
The order further states that the perusal of Jamabandi for the year 1956-57 reveals that the land bearing Khasra No 210 measuring 38 Kanals 14 Marla is recorded as State Land with kind of soil as ‘Gair Mumkin Passi’, the land bearing Khasra No 210-Min measuring 194 Kanals 15 Marlas is recorded as State Land under occupation of ‘Forest Department’ with kind of soil as ‘Gair Mumkin Passi’ total measuring 233 Kanals 09 Marla and the land bearing Khasra No 118 measuring 129 Kanals 07 Marlas as State Land under ‘Gair Mumkin Passi’.
Hence the kind of soil under Khasra No 210, 210-Min and 118 is ‘Gair Mumkin Passi’ i.e. non-agriculture land, does not fall under Order No 254-C of 1965.
The order further says that concerned parties who were conferred ownership rights were given an opportunity to be heard vide Notice No. DCJ/RDR/2023-24/370-371 dated 05-02-2024, but they failed to appear.
The order says that after this in-depth exercise it was concluded that impugned mutations are illegal and fraudulent and were accordingly cancelled and records ordered to be set right besides taking action against the delinquent officials for misusing their official position to delineate State Land in favour of private parties.
The present order of DC Jammu is an eye-opener of how officials misuse their position for their vested interests and give away State Land to land grabbers which they are supposed to protect.
The order also shows how an upright officer like DC Jammu can correct the past mistakes and take prompt action against the culprits and the delinquent officials.
Now it needs to be seen what punishment is accorded to officials involved and how the State/Forest Land is retrieved back to the state.
