Divisional Commissioner Vows Immediate Cancellation of Fraudulent Mutations and “Strict Action” Against All Involved as Jammu Jottings Exposes Widespread Custodian Land Usurpation
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered three fresh FIRs, bringing the total to 27 cases, against a nexus of revenue officials and land grabbers for the illegal transfer of over 20 kanals 9 marlas of Custodian land in Jammu district, exposing a scam involving thousands of kanals.
Named in the FIRs are former Patwaris Waryam Singh, Mohan Singh, Prem Singh, Rahul Kai, former Naib Tehsildar Balak Ram, and former Tehsildar Saqib Saleem, among others, for conniving in fraudulent mutations and selling usurped land to third parties.
The Divisional Commissioner Jammu has confirmed that a detailed report on 528 kanals of land for cancellation, submitted by SDM North to the DC in February, will trigger immediate cancellation of all fraudulent mutations and “strict action” against all departmental officials involved, setting an example against corruption.
By Mohit Mehra
Jammu, April 24, 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has unearthed another major land scam, registering three fresh FIRs that bring the total number of cases to 27. These relentless investigations expose a large-scale nexus of revenue officials and land grabbers engaged in the illegal encroachment and fraudulent transfer of prime Custodian land across Jammu district. Following queries by Jammu Jottings, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu has now vowed immediate cancellation of all fraudulent mutations and “strict action” against every departmental official involved, signalling a decisive move against deep-rooted corruption.
The latest three FIRs, registered at Police Station ACB Central J&K, target a prima facie nexus between revenue officials, Form ‘Alaf’ holders, and land grabbers in the illegal transfer of approximately 20 kanals and 9 marlas of Custodian land. These cases have been registered under relevant sections of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and laws pertaining to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and fraud. Among those explicitly named in the FIRs are former Patwaris Waryam Singh, Mohan Singh, Prem Singh, Rahul Kai, former Naib Tehsildar Balak Ram, and former Tehsildar Saqib Saleem, alongside others, indicating a widespread network of complicity.
This fresh development builds upon earlier findings by the ACB, which had already registered 24 FIRs in connection with a scam pertaining to prime Custodian land located in Asarwan, Mishriwala, Bhalwal, and R.S. Pura areas. Inputs received by the ACB indicated that thousands of kanals of Custodian land had been fraudulently usurped through the tampering of revenue records and subsequently sold to various individuals. The ACB’s verification revealed that over 1,000 kanals of land had been illegally allotted to certain displaced persons on the basis of fake and fabricated orders, despite these beneficiaries not being genuinely entitled to such allotments.
The intricate modus operandi involved relatives of Pakistan/PoK displaced persons, who had already received land under rehabilitation schemes, manipulating revenue records to obtain additional land despite being ineligible. This was allegedly done in connivance with officials across various levels—including Patwaris, Girdawars, Naib Tehsildars, and Tehsildars—all acting without any valid orders from the Government or the office of the Provisional Rehabilitation Office (PRO). In many instances, the alleged allotment orders were found to be entirely fake. After securing illegal mutations in their favour, the accused persons then sold or transferred the land to third parties, either directly or through conduits and attorney holders, causing significant loss to the government exchequer.
On being contacted by Jammu Jottings regarding the long-pending cancellation report for 528 kanals of land, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu confirmed that the report, a detailed account of the fraudulent mutations, had been submitted by the SDM North to the DC office in February. The Divisional Commissioner explicitly stated that “when that report comes to my office, all those mutations will be cancelled.” He further emphasised an uncompromising stance against culpability: “No departmental official involved in these mutations will be spared. Strict action will be taken against them, and an example will be set so that anyone contemplating such wrongdoing in the future will think ten times. Whoever is named in the report will face action.”
The Divisional Commissioner’s firm commitment directly addresses the pervasive concerns about administrative inaction in the face of widespread corruption, echoing the Lieutenant Governor’s and Chief Minister’s “zero tolerance” policy. With 27 FIRs now registered and a high-level administrative pledge for swift action, the ongoing investigation aims to unravel the full extent of this massive land scam, restore thousands of kanals of usurped Custodian land, and hold all involved culprits accountable, reinforcing public trust in governance.
