J&K Encroachment case: CBI searches Lal Singh’s premises among nine locations

Sep 15, 2020
Jammu/New Delhi:  The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday launched search operations at nine locations in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) including the premises of former Minister Choudhary Lal Singh, in an ongoing investigation into a case of illegal encroachment and occupation of forest land in Kathua district.

On June 25, CBI had registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) to probe into allegations of land encroachment in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

During the PE, the agency tried to discover if prima facie material exists to move ahead with a formal registration of a case also known as a Regular Case or FIR to start investigation.

A CBI spokesperson in Delhi said, “Multiple CBI teams are conducting searches at nine locations — three in Jammu and six at Kathua, including at RB Education Trust office, residence of its chairperson Chaudhary Lal Singh and other accused.”

The official said that the CBI registered a case against RB Educational Trust, (through its Chairperson) and others including the then DC Kathua (J&K), the then Tehsildar, then Naib Tehsildar, the then Girdawar, the then Patwari and unknown persons on the allegations of having facilitated the trust in possessing land much beyond the ceiling limit and submission of false affidavit in support of the trust, causing loss to the State exchequer.

According to a CBI official the allegations in the complaint mentioned that the RB Educational Trust continues to be in possession of huge tracts of land in gross violation of cealing prescribed under J&K Agrarian Reforms Act 1976.

It was also alleged that an affidavit was filed before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on June 6, 2015 in which false information was submitted by public servants serving in Kathua.

The official said a writ petition was filed in Jammu so as to favour the RB Educational Trust, a family trust of Chaudhary Lal Singh, who is also a former Member of Parliament.

The official said that in lieu of illegal gratification for consideration, Revenue and Forest department officials of Kathua have allowed sale/purchase of the government/public/forest land by the persons after recording false certificates that such land falls under exempted category as per J&K Agrarian Reforms Act.

The official said that such encroachment is still continuing and vast tracts of state land is in illegal possession of encroachers due to connivance of officials of revenue department in Kathua.Chaudhary Lal SIngh had quit BJP following a row over rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua in 2018.IANS

Bhopal royal estate dispute affecting Saif Ali Khan, other heirs sent back for retrial

Jabalpur: In a major judicial development concerning one of Bhopal’s most protracted royal property disputes, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has set aside a two-decade-old trial court judgment and ordered...

Allahabad HC rejects plea to declare Shahi Idgah mosque as disputed structure

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking to declare the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura as a disputed structure in the ongoing case related to the...

SC rejects plea against NEET-UG 2025 answer key, results

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea raising questions on the final answer key and results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025 exam released by the...

Delhi HC rejects actress Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea to quash money laundering case

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday turned down a plea filed by Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez seeking to quash a money laundering case registered against her by the...

Int’l tiger smuggler convicted after 9-yr chase; Interpol applauds MP’s State Tiger Force

Bhopal: The State Tiger Force of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has played a pivotal role in bringing international tiger smuggler Tashi Sherpa to justice, culminating in a five-year prison...

Reopen cases deliberately buried, file FIR: J&K L-G takes up issues of terror victim families

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss issues concerning those terror victim families whose members were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists, and...

Country has remained united and strong during crisis: CJI BR Gavai

Nagpur: Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai on Saturday said that whenever the country has faced a crisis, it has remained united and stood together. “Babasaheb Ambedkar was criticised...

Delhi: ACB books Saurabh Bhardwaj, Satyendra Jain in hospital construction scam

New Delhi: Former health ministers and AAP leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain were booked by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Delhi, for alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects involving 24...

J&K High Court orders protection of deported Pak woman; asks Centre to bring her back

Srinagar: In a judgment that might have far reaching consequences, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court said that a Pakistani woman living in J&K for years with a Long Term...

SC summons UP’s DG, Prisons, Ghaziabad Jail Superintendent for not releasing accused despite bail

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned the Uttar Pradesh Director General (DG) of Prisons and the Senior Superintendent of Ghaziabad District Jail over non-release of an accused from...

Chinnaswamy stampede: Complaint filed against CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru: A complaint has been lodged at the Cubbon Park police station regarding the June 4 stampede incident near the Chinnaswamy Stadium here which claimed 11 lives. The incident happened...

SC guidelines on demolitions upheld dignity, security of citizens: CJI Gavai

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai has said that the Supreme Court judgement against "bulldozer justice" reaffirmed the position that constitutional guarantees must not only protect civil...

Read Previous

80,000 lost Covid battle in India as tally breached 49 Lakhs

Read Next

Illegal constructions destroying top fertile soil, environmentalist sends notice to Gr Noida authorities

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com