RAWALAKOT (Kashmir English): Commissioner Poonch Chaudhry Mukhtar Hussain has suspended two girdawars, one patwari, and one naib qasid of the Revenue Department after serious irregularities were uncovered in land records in Bagh district.
According to an official notice issued on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner Bagh had earlier ordered a preliminary investigation into complaints regarding fake selections of land involving Muhammad Latif.
The inquiry, conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bagh, found several officials involved in preparing and approving fake and fictitious land selections for Shamlat Deh.
As per the details, the ADC’s report identified Circular Birpani girdawars Muhammad Nisar, Patwari Birpani Bhalwal Ali Shah, and Ad Hoc Naib Qasid Javed Arif as involved in the alleged manipulation of land records. They were found complicit in the execution of a fake and fictitious selection of land for Shamlat Deh.
Following public complaints regarding fake construction and illegal land entries in Deba, the Commissioner ordered another investigation through the Tehsildar Bagh.
The inquiry report revealed that unauthorized entries had been added to the Register of Haqdaran, new accounts had been created illegally, and khata and khatooni numbers were manipulated in Sudhan Gali.
Statements of the affected landowners confirmed that several officers had issued unauthorized receipts and conducted illegal amendments in the official property records.
Those found responsible include Girdawar Birpani Muhammad Khalid, Patwari Birpani Nisar Ahmed, and Patwari Janglawi circle Syed Bahlul Ali Shah.
Following the inquiry, the Commissioner approved strict disciplinary proceedings and suspended all the officials involved.
To ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, the Commissioner has appointed the Additional Deputy Commissioner Bagh as the inquiry officer. She has been directed to submit a final report with recommendations within the stipulated time.
Officials warn that the scale of tampering indicates a larger network of corruption, and more revelations are expected as the investigation deepens.
