SRINAGAR, August 19 (KNC): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Srinagar, has registered an FIR against several officials and private beneficiaries over alleged illegal construction and land encroachment in Rajbagh, Srinagar. The ACB Srinagar action followed a Joint Surprise Check and subsequent verification into allegations of unauthorised construction in the flood-sensitive area along the River Jhelum.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau, FIR No. 10/2026 was registered after investigators allegedly found irregularities in the construction of a multi-storey building in the Jhelum flood basin and river-fringe area. The case has brought renewed attention to alleged violations involving building permissions, government land and construction activity in environmentally and flood-sensitive areas of Srinagar.
During the verification, the ACB reportedly found serious irregularities in the grant and subsequent modification of building permissions. Officials allegedly allowed substantial changes to the sanctioned structure, including an increase in the plinth area and building height, without obtaining mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the departments concerned.
The Rajbagh illegal construction case also involves alleged encroachment of around 2.9 kanals of State/Kahcharai land. The probe reportedly found construction over drainage infrastructure and within the prohibited river-fringe area of the River Jhelum, raising concerns over land encroachment and possible violations of regulations governing construction near the river.
The ACB has named then Senior Town Planner, SDA Muneer Ahmad Khan; then Joint Commissioner Planning, SMC R.K. Tutoo; then In-charge Assistant Town Planner, SMC Ulfat Jan; along with other concerned officials and beneficiaries Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh and Parveena Akhter in the Srinagar ACB FIR.
The accused officials and beneficiaries have been booked over allegations of abuse of official position, criminal conspiracy and facilitating unauthorised construction and alleged encroachment. The allegations are subject to investigation and due legal process.
The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered the case under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006, along with Sections 447-A, 468 and 120 RPC, besides other applicable provisions.
The latest ACB action in Srinagar comes amid continued scrutiny over alleged illegal construction, government land encroachment and violations in flood-prone areas of Kashmir. The alleged construction in the Jhelum flood basin has also highlighted concerns regarding drainage infrastructure and restrictions on development along the river fringe.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau said that further investigation is underway. Investigators are expected to examine building permissions, alleged modifications to the sanctioned plan, land records, NOCs and the alleged role of officials and beneficiaries in the Rajbagh land encroachment case.
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