Srinagar, Sept. 18, KDC: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, to immediately attach 20 kanals of forest land allegedly grabbed by a Patwari, observing that the revenue official appears to have abused his official position and manipulated government records to facilitate the alleged encroachment.
Issuing notices on a writ petition, Justice Rahul Bharti directed the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, to place the encroached forest land under official attachment and submit a comprehensive factual report regarding any construction carried out at the site before the next date of hearing.
The order was passed in a petition filed by an aggrieved resident, Abdul Gani, seeking court intervention to direct authorities to retrieve 20 kanals of forest land situated in compartment No. 132/Ar of Bakhteer Forest, Budhan Block, in Mahore tehsil of Reasi district.
The petitioner alleged that the land had been encroached upon by a revenue official, Mohd. Ashraf, who was previously posted as Patwari Halqa Shajroo. The plea stated that while the official had since been transferred to another halqa, he had used his official tenure to cause severe damage by unlawfully taking over the state forest property.
Taking note of the material presented before the bench, Justice Rahul Bharti observed, “If the narrative, as is coming forth from the end of the Forest Establishment is correct, then the respondent No. 8 Mohd. Ashraf who, at the relevant point of time was serving as Patwari Halqa, Shajroo, is in illegal occupation of the forest land by abuse of his position as a Patwari Halqa, Shajroo and crafted the revenue record so as to perpetuate his illegal possession of the Forest Land.”
Holding that a prima facie case was established, the High Court issued notice to the respondents. While government counsel accepted notice on behalf of the administration and the forest department, the bench directed the issuance of notice exclusively to the accused revenue official through registered postal cover within seven days.
“In the meantime, this Court directs Deputy Commissioner, Reasi to bring under attachment land measuring 20 kanals falling within compartment No. 132/Ar of Bakhteer Forest, Budhan Block, tehsil Mahore district Reasi alleged to be illegal encroachment of the respondent No. 8 Mohd. Ashraf and submit a report about the construction, if any, obtaining at the site of the said 20 kanals of land falling under compartment No. 132/Ar of Bakhteer Forest, Budhan Block, tehsil Mahore district Reasi on the next date of hearing,” the Court directed.
The High Court has listed the matter for further consideration on October 5, 2026.
Senior Advocate Rohit Kohli along with Advocate Raghav Gaind appeared for the petitioner. Assisting Counsel Nazia Fazal appeared on behalf of Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli for respondents 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7, while Deputy Advocate General Meenakshi Salathia represented respondents 2 and 5. (KDC)
