Srinagar, Apr 12 (UNI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday filed a chargesheet before the Special Anti-Corruption Court in Srinagar against 22 accused, including two former Collectors of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), four retired public servants, and 16 beneficiaries, in a land compensation fraud case dating back to 2009 in Kashmir.



The charges stem from a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) into allegations of tampering with revenue records by officials of the Rakhs and Farms Department in collusion with Revenue and LAWDA officials. The fraudulent manipulation inflated land holdings at Rakh-e-Aerth in Budgam to claim excess compensation meant for Dal dwellers’ rehabilitation, a spokesman of the ACB said.



The investigation revealed that land holdings were exaggerated—such as showing 60 kanals instead of 6 under Khasra No. 1692—resulting in wrongful payouts amounting to Rs 38.2 lakh, causing substantial loss to the state exchequer.



The case was registered under FIR No. 18/2009 under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, read with Sections 120-B, 467, 468, and 471 of the RPC. The government granted prosecution sanction, leading to the formal filing of the challan.



“After registration of case in Police Station ACB Srinagar Kashmir, the investigation of the case was concluded as 'Proved' and after the accord of government sanction for launching prosecution against the 22 accused persons. The challan of the case was produced before the court of Special Anti-Corruption Judge Srinagar today for Judicial determination,” ACB said.



Among the accused are retired Patwaris, Girdawars, Assistant Directors, Collectors, and several private beneficiaries from Budgam and Bemina. One accused has passed away.

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