In a significant administrative move, the District Collector of Jammu has nullified three land mutation attestations, uncovering fraudulent practices in the process. The mutations under scrutiny, No. 597, 599, and 601, were associated with Khasra No. 118, 210, and 210-Min in village Dhami, Tehsil Nagrota, District Jammu.
The investigation revealed that these mutations were attested in violation of government order No. 254-C of 1965. Upon receiving a status report from the office of Tehsildar Nagrota, along with relevant revenue records, it became evident that the mutations were fraudulent. Mutation No. 597: Initially attested by the then Tehsildar of Jammu on November 20, 2007, this mutation conferred ownership rights on land measuring 15 kanals under Khasra No. 210-Min in village Dhami. The ownership was falsely conferred upon Ishri Devi, widow of Azad Ram, contrary to the actual ownership status.
Mutation No. 599: Attested on November 8, 2009, by the same Tehsildar, this mutation purported to confer ownership rights on 30 kanals of land under Khasra No. 210-Min and Khasra No. 118. Romesh Kumar was falsely granted ownership rights over this land. Mutation No. 601: Also attested on November 8, 2009, under the same Tehsildar, this mutation falsely granted ownership rights over 12 kanals of land under Khasra No. 210-Min to Guddi Devi, also known as Amro Devi.
The investigation further revealed discrepancies in the land records, indicating that the said land did not qualify as agricultural land as per the government order. The land under Khasra No. 210, 210-Min, and 118 were recorded as ‘Gair Mumkin Passi’ or non-agricultural land, rendering the mutations invalid.
Despite granting the concerned parties an opportunity to present their case, they failed to appear before the District Collector on the scheduled date. In light of the findings, the District Collector, exercising powers under the Land Revenue Act Svt. 1996, has declared the impugned mutations as illegal and fraudulent. Consequently, Mutation No. 597, 599, and 601 stands nullified. The Tehsildar Nagrota has been instructed to rectify the relevant records promptly, including Jamabandi, Mutation Register, and Register Khasra Girdawari. Additionally, the delinquent officials responsible for the fraudulent mutations are to be identified for further necessary action.
This decisive action underscores the administration’s commitment to upholding transparency and legality in land transactions, ensuring the integrity of land records and safeguarding the interests of genuine landowners in Jammu.
