Protected by the Powerful? Corrupt Patwari Evades Justice Despite Mounting Evidence
- A Patwari from the 2013 batch, posted in various locations including Sidhra, is accused of widespread corruption, including issuing illegal Fards of approximately 300 Kanals and executing over 30 fraudulent mutations, amassing significant wealth in the process.
- Despite a 2021 complaint to the Governor’s Grievance Cell and multiple ACB raids, no action has been taken against the Patwari, raising concerns about his alleged connections to powerful figures and a culture of impunity within the Revenue Department.
- The Patwari’s brazen defiance of authority, including a verbal altercation with a superior officer that led to his suspension, and his lavish lifestyle, reportedly including daily lunches at a five-star hotel, further highlight the need for accountability.
- Jammu Jottings is set to publish a detailed exposé with evidence of the Patwari’s corrupt activities, including specific mutation numbers, dates, and Fards issued, raising questions about the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and the effectiveness of the ongoing digitization of land records.
jj correspondent
Jammu, Dec 30: A shocking case of alleged corruption and impunity within the Revenue Department has raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to tackling corruption in Jammu and Kashmir. A Patwari, recruited in 2013, has been accused of issuing hundreds of fraudulent Fards (land ownership documents), amassing significant wealth, and openly defying his superiors, all while enjoying apparent protection from powerful figures in the administration and politics.
The case came to light in 2021 when a complaint was filed with the Governor’s Grievance Cell, alleging that the Patwari had illegally issued Fards for “Gair Mumkin Jhaad” (land designated as scrubland). After an agonizing three-year delay, the SDM finally submitted an investigation report to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jammu on October 28, 2024 (Letter No. TBOQ/2024-25/1216-17).
The report revealed that the Patwari had issued fraudulent Fards of approximately 300 Kanals of for Gair Mumkin Jhaad during his tenure. A subsequent RTI filed by Jammu Jottings further revealed that he had executed over 30 illegal Intikals (land transfers) between 2017 and 2019.
Despite these findings, and despite being suspended following a verbal altercation with a senior officer, no concrete action has been taken against the Patwari. Even two raids by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on his residence have failed to deter him.
This inaction raises troubling questions about the government’s commitment to eradicating corruption. While both the LG administration and the PM Modi government have repeatedly vowed to crack down on corruption at all levels, the lack of action against this “powerful” Patwari suggests a stark disconnect between the administration and LG office.
The Patwari’s alleged corruption extends beyond the fraudulent issuance of Fards and Intikals. He is accused of amassing substantial wealth, including properties registered in the names of family members and relatives, and enjoying a lifestyle far beyond the means of a government official, including daily lunches at a five-star hotel.
An officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to Jammu Jottings that the Patwari enjoys the patronage of highly influential figures in the administration and politics, granting him protection and enabling his corrupt practices. The nature of this patronage and the benefits received by these powerful individuals remain a subject of ongoing investigation.
Jammu Jottings has also obtained information about further wrongdoings during the Patwari’s posting in Sidhra, where he allegedly engaged in similar fraudulent activities, including the manipulation of mutations and illegal land transfers. He is known for his arrogance and defiance, even towards his superiors.
The ongoing digitization of land records in Jammu and Kashmir poses a unique challenge for this Patwari. Having allegedly removed the fraudulent mutations from physical records to avoid detection, he now faces the dilemma of whether to reinsert them into the files before scanning. Jammu Jottings has evidence of these removed mutations and will reveal them in a forthcoming investigative story.
With evidence of the Patwari’s alleged corruption now in the public domain, the pressure is on the administration to act. Will the DC Jammu, having received the investigation report, finally take decisive action against this powerful Patwari? Or will the government’s anti-corruption campaign prove to be an empty promise, allowing corruption to flourish unchecked? The people of Jammu await justice and a clear signal that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of their connections or influence.
Jammu Jottings remains committed to exposing the truth and holding those responsible accountable, and will soon publish a detailed report with specific evidence, including mutation numbers, dates, and details of the fraudulent Fards issued by this Patwari.
