Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today filed charge-sheet in the court of Special Judge CBI against Kanta Andotra, former MLA and then Chairperson of an educational trust based at Kathua and Ravinder Singh, the then Patwari Muthi Hardo for illegal possession and encroachment of land.
After hearing both the sides, the Special Judge CBI Sanjeev Gupta observed, “the accused has filed copies of bail order dated 05.12.2020 and 19.07.2021 passed by High Court by virtue of which accused Kanta Andotra was granted pre-arrest bail subject to certain conditions”.
“In so far accused Ravinder Singh is concerned an application for grant of bail has been filed on his behalf by his counsel. It has been submitted by the counsel for the accused Ravinder Singh that he has cooperated with the IO during the investigation of the case and was not arrested, as such, he may be released on bail”, the Court observed.
The counsel appearing for the CBI submitted that accused is involved in a serious offence and in case of grant of bail to him suitable conditions be imposed to secure his presence in the court. Accordingly, the accused Ravinder Singh was admitted to bail on his furnishing surety bond in the amount of Rs 50,000 and bond of personal recognizance each of the like amount. Accused Kanta Andotra shall file personal bond to the tune of Rs 50,000 and the accused shall regularly appear before the court during trial and shall not make any contact with the prosecution witnesses or try to influence them, the court said.
CBI had registered the instant case against an educational trust (through its Chairperson) based at Kathua and others on 12.09.2020. Earlier, a Preliminary Enquiry was conducted by CBI on the allegations of encroachment of huge tract of public/Govt/forest land in district Kathua (J&K) by certain persons in violation of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act in connivance with Revenue and Forest officials. Searches were also conducted on 15.09.2020 at 10 locations including Jammu & Kathua at the premises of accused.
During investigation, it was found that the then Chairperson of educational trust allegedly entered into conspiracy with the then Patwari, Patwar Halqa Muthi Hardo, Tehsil Hiranagar (now Marheen). It was also alleged that in pursuance to the conspiracy, fards were issued by Patwari without mentioning the details in respect of ceiling imposed under J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 and mutations were attested, thus facilitating illegal acquisition of land beyond ceiling limit by the educational trust in gross violation of the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976.
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