Case Filed Against Officials for Illegal Land Transfer in Chamba; Revenue Loss to Government
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Vigilance Bureau has filed a case at Sadar Police Station Chamba against the then Tehsildar, Kanungo, Patwari, and two others for causing a revenue loss to the state government through illegal land transfer. The case follows a detailed investigation triggered by a complaint submitted to the Vigilance Department.
The investigation revealed that on October 19, 2010, Hansraj, a resident of Om Niwas Rajmahal Road, Dalhousie, purchased land in Khasra No. 1169. However, irregularities occurred when the transfer was processed, as the land was wrongly entered on two Khasra numbers. The illegal transfer was recorded in the Jamabandi, leading to discrepancies in the official records.
According to the complaint filed by Hemlata, wife of DK Sharda, a resident of Sharda Cottage Rajmahal Road, Dalhousie, the total value of the 6.20-hectare land in Mahal Dalhousie was Rs. 52,80,087. The stamp duty for this transaction should have been Rs. 2,64,005, but due to the irregularities in the land transfer, the stamp duty was reduced, causing a revenue loss of Rs. 1,56,505.
Hemlata further accused Hansraj, a deed writer by profession, of colluding with Ajay Kumar Mahajan, Avtar Singh, and officials including the then Tehsildar, Kanungo, and Patwari, to facilitate the illegal transaction. The accused officials were allegedly complicit in making the transfer happen, which resulted in the undue benefit for Hansraj and the state's financial loss.
The Vigilance Bureau acted swiftly after receiving the complaint, and a case was filed against the accused under sections 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120B of the IPC. The SDM of Dalhousie has assured full cooperation with the investigation. According to Anjum Ara, DIG of the Vigilance Bureau, and Abhimanyu Verma, ASP, further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the wrongdoing.
As the case unfolds, the local community watches closely. Hemlata, the complainant, now hopes for justice and the recovery of the lost revenue. For Hansraj, who once worked as a deed writer in Dalhousie, his alleged actions have stirred up a scandal that will have consequences far beyond his personal dealings. The repercussions for the officials involved in the transfer will likely shape future vigilance efforts in the region, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in land transactions.
