* Directs revenue authorities to make recovery
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 7: High Court has observed that the compensation towards land acquisition in lieu of expansion of Golf Course Pahalgam has been granted to fake and forged persons and warned the Revenue authorities for proceedings against them in case they fail to recover the compensation.
Hearing Suomoto cognizance of embezzlement of public exchequer in the process of acquisition of land for expansion of Golf Course at famous tourist resort Pahalgam, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Puneet Gupta observed that the instant case is a serious matter wherein compensation towards land acquisition had been illegally taken away by the private individuals which was required to be deposited with the department.
Counsel representing the Revenue Department in this regard sought further time from the court in order to comply with the earlier direction in which court had sought status of the deposit of the amount released in favour of fake persons.
Undertaking for depositing of compensation amount was given by a person who got the compensation illegally but no report regarding the depositing of amount has not been submitted by the officials before the court.
“In case report is not filed before the next date by the Tehsildar Pahalgam, we shall be constrained to proceed against him as well”, DB warned.
Till date no amount has not been deposited and Tehsildar Pahalgam was under direction to issue bailable warrants against these persons and report the court on next date.
The Crime Branch Kashmir is also investigating the case with regard to gross irregularities while acquisition of land for expansion of Golf Course at Pahalgam.
Huge amount of public money has been given to the beneficiaries who have illegally made insertions in revenue records with regard to expansion of Golf Course at Pahalgam in league and connivance with the revenue officials.
Although the authorities have initiated the process of making recoveries of the amount paid to the beneficiaries who made insertions in the revenue records in order to get the compensation have not completed the said process as yet.
Revenue Department as per court directions have to submit the details regarding the process of effecting recoveries from the beneficiaries who had made insertions in the revenue records.
Court has already made it clear that it (Court) need to know and determine as to what course of action should be taken to retrieve the Government money disbursed to persons not entitled thereto, whether under the orders of the Civil Court or otherwise.
Court further wants to know as to what is the present status of the criminal case that was filed by the Crime Branch before the Court of law and who were the accused therein.
Court has recorded that since the matter involves a huge State exchequer, why should not it be referred to the CBI for a thorough investigation etc., so that the erring Government functionaries and the beneficiaries of such a wrong are brought to justice.
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