SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against the then Executive Officer of Municipal Committee (MC) Kupwara, a Khilafwarzi Inspector and a private individual in connection with alleged illegal building permission, encroachment and construction on land notified for expansion of the Bus Stand at Regipora, Kupwara.
According to a statement issued by the ACB to Kashmir Dot Com, the case originated from a complaint alleging that municipal land acquired by the government for construction and expansion of the Kupwara Bus Stand—against which compensation had already been paid—was illegally encroached upon and building permissions were unlawfully granted.
The ACB said that a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) was conducted, which revealed alleged irregularities in the sanctioning of building permission by the then Executive Officer, Bashir Ahmad Dar, in favour of Ghulam Mohammad Mir, attorney holder of land measuring 1 Kanal and 16 Marlas under Khasra No. 661 at Bus Adda Regipora, Kupwara.
Following the preliminary findings, FIR No. 14/2022 was registered and a formal investigation was initiated.
During the probe, the ACB stated that the Executive Officer allegedly issued two building permissions for construction of a double-storey shopping complex without following due process. It was found that mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Town Planning Organisation was not obtained, which was required under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Control of Building Operations Act, 1988.
The statement further said that the land in question had already been acquired and notified for public purpose—construction of the Kupwara Bus Stand—and had vested with the government after compensation was paid. The ACB alleged that private individuals are not legally entitled to seek building permission on land acquired for a public project.
Investigations also revealed that previous building permission applications on the same site had reportedly been declined by predecessors of the Executive Officer due to legal impediments, which were reflected in official records, including note sheets and joint inspection reports.
According to the ACB, the alleged illegal permissions resulted in a loss of ₹57,37,500 to the state exchequer, as compensation had already been paid for portions of the land where construction took place. The agency stated that the alleged actions jeopardised the future expansion of the Regipora Bus Stand project.
Upon completion of the investigation, the ACB presented a chargesheet before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla, against Bashir Ahmad Dar (then Executive Officer, MC Kupwara), Mohammad Abdullah Malik (then Khilafwarzi Inspector, MC Kupwara), and Ghulam Mohammad Mir, described as the beneficiary and alleged encroacher.
The accused have been charged under Section 5(1)(c)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), the statement said.
The next date of hearing in the case has been fixed for April 18, 2026, the ACB added. (KDC)
