Violent land dispute in Jammu: Accused fired shots at woman during confrontation

*FIR filed against accused for attempted murder and forcible trespass.

Jammu:

A shocking incident of violence related to a land dispute has been making waves on social media, as a video capturing the alarming altercation went viral. The incident took place in the Lale Da Bagh area, under the jurisdiction of Domana Police Station. The video depicts a violent confrontation between Rekha Devi, a resident of Netar Kothian Barnai, and Brij Raj Singh Jamwal, the brother of the land’s previous owner, Brij Bhushan Singh Jamwal.

The dispute centers around 21.5 Marlas of land, which Rekha Devi claims to have legally purchased. During the confrontation, Brij Raj Singh allegedly fired three shots from a firearm. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident has raised serious concerns over safety and the protection of property rights in the region.

Following the violent episode, Rekha Devi approached Domana Police Station to file a First Information Report (FIR), accusing a group of individuals of attempting to forcibly seize her land and threatening her life. The accused named in the FIR include: 1) Brij Raj Singh Jamwal, son of Lt. Vasdev Singh, residing at Rajouri Lines, Lower Barnai, Lale Da Bagh, Jammu; 2) Harshvardhan Singh Jamwal, son of Brij Raj Singh Jamwal, also residing at Rajouri Lines, Lower Barnai, Lale Da Bagh, Jammu; 3) Dazy Jamwal, wife of Brij Raj Singh Jamwal, residing at the same address; 4) Jagar Chaudhary sons of Lt. Shafi, residents of Keran Jammu; and 5) Babu Choudhary son of Lt. Shafi, residents of Keran Jammu.

The background of the dispute: According to the FIR, Rekha Devi legally purchased two plots of land in Barnai, Jammu. The first plot, measuring 15 Marlas, was purchased on 03-02-2023, and the second plot, measuring 6.5 Marlas, was acquired on 08-02-2023. Both transactions were registered with the Sub-Registrar Jammu North, and Rekha Devi has since maintained peaceful possession of the property.

However, on February 1, 2025, at approximately 1:30 PM, the accused individuals allegedly attempted to seize the land by force. Upon realizing the situation, Rekha Devi rushed to the scene, where she was met with a barrage of profane abuse and threats to her life. The accused reportedly demanded that she vacate the land or face dire consequences.

Attempted murder and threat to life: The situation escalated dramatically when Brij Raj Singh Jamwal, the primary accused, allegedly pulled out a revolver and fired three shots at Rekha Devi. A video capturing the incident, which has been submitted as evidence, clearly shows the severity of the situation. Thankfully, Rekha Devi managed to narrowly escape the gunfire and fled the scene to avoid harm. Despite the close call, the accused reportedly continued threatening her with death should she attempt to return to her land.

Legal action and police response: In light of these grave threats and the violent actions of the accused, Rekha Devi has formally requested the registration of an FIR. The police have duly registered FIR No. 31/2025 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including: Section 329(3) (Attempted Murder); Section 109 (Abetment); Section 191(2) (False Evidence); BNS.3 (Forcible Trespass); and Section 3/25 of the Arms Act (Possession of Illegal Firearms).

Authorities have confirmed that one accused has already been arrested, while efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects. The investigation is ongoing, with the police working diligently to gather further evidence and ensure the safety of Rekha Devi.

A wake-up call for land disputes in Jammu: This disturbing incident has sparked widespread concern about the increasing frequency of land-related disputes in Jammu. Many are calling for stronger safeguards to protect property rights and ensure the safety of individuals involved in such matters. The authorities have reiterated the importance of resolving land disputes peacefully and swiftly, emphasizing that violence and intimidation should never be tolerated.

As the investigation unfolds, residents and community leaders alike hope that justice will prevail, and that such incidents will serve as a reminder of the need for better protection of citizens’ rights.