Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Sept 4: Additional Sessions Judge Doda, Archana Charak, today framed charges against Advocate Chunni Lal, accused of notarizing a forged and antedated will deed in conspiracy with others to fraudulently claim land compensation.
The case originated from a written complaint lodged with the Crime Branch Jammu by Dr Amar Chand Bhagat of Bisran Tantly, Tehsil Gandoh. He alleged that his mother was the rightful owner of land measuring 3 kanals 17 marlas under Khasra No. 441/234, acquired for the construction of Changa-Tantly Road. However, one Bhagat Ram of Bisran Tantly (later settled in Kathua) conspired with local residents Mohd. Ramzan Rather, Man Singh and Ghulam Nabi Rather to fabricate a will deed dated 01.10.2001 on a judicial stamp paper actually issued in April 2011.
The forged document, allegedly executed by late Mansa Ram (who had died on 19.08.2002), was attested by Advocate Chunni Lal as Notary, using fake witnesses and signatures. On its basis, mutation No. 359 was illegally attested in 2011 by then Tehsildar Gundoh along with revenue officials. This enabled Bhagat Ram to fraudulently obtain Rs. 27,399 compensation from the state exchequer.
Crime Branch Jammu conducted a preliminary verification and later registered a case under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B RPC. During investigation, handwriting specimens of Chunni Lal were obtained and sent to FSL Jammu, whose report confirmed his role in attesting the forged will despite knowing it was antedated and invalid.
After hearing APP Rajesh Gill for the UT and Advocate Vinay for the accused, the court held that prima facie evidence exists against Chunni Lal, while proceedings against co-accused Bhagat Ram, Om Prakash, Man Singh, and Allah Rakha were abated due to their demise.
The court formally framed charges against Chunni Lal for his involvement in the conspiracy, reading them out in open court. He pleaded not guilty and opted to stand trial.
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