Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday directed government to file status of the investigation into an FIR registered more than 12 years ago against officers and officials allegedly involved in giving undue benefit to beneficiaries by making “mischievous reports” regarding change of land use under erstwhile Master Plan, Pahalgam.
The FIR no.(27/2008) was filed under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat, 2006, and Section 120-B, 109 RPC at Police Station Vigilance Organisation (now ACB), in 2008.
Hearing a public interest litigation, a division bench of chief justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Rajnesh ‘Oswal granted the government a month’s time to file the status report after additional advocate general M A Chashoo sought the same.
He submits that he may be allowed some time to find out about the status of the investigation pursuant to the FIR.
“Shri Chashoo as prayed is allowed a month’s time to file status report regarding the outcome of the investigation pursuant to the above referred FIR,” the court said.
The PIL was filed in 2010, praying among others quashing of the Master Plan 2005-2025 prepared by the Pahalgam Development Authority.
“Various compliance reports from time to time have been filed and are on record. Pursuant to the last order, Chashoo has submitted a further report stating that most of the encroachments have been removed from the area of the Pahalgam Development Authority but the work has been stopped on account of snow during the winter season and necessary steps would be taken to remove the remaining encroachments also,” the court said, adding, “It is an admitted position that as on date, the Master Plan 2005-2025 is not in existence and that Master Plan 2015-2032 is in place.”
In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the court said, apparently only the prayer with regard to the completion of the investigation of the FIR survives. (Agencies)
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