Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the illegal lease of temple properties across the Valley.
On the directions of Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat References Monitoring Cell, Jammu & Kashmir, a letter has been issued to the 10 Deputy Commissioner’s (DCs) of Kashmir, wherein they were asked to probe the illegal lease of temple properties and nexus in temple properties being used illegally.
“I am hereby directed to enclose herewith copy of communication along with its enclosures bearing O.M no. GAD-RMC/256/2022-LGRMC-GAD dated 20-05-2022 received from Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat References Monitoring Cell, Jammu & Kashmir with the request to ascertain any such instances in your district and take appropriate necessary action under rules with intimation to this office,” reads a letter issued from Divisional Commissioner’s office.
Besides, the DCs have been asked to furnish the updated inventory of Religious Minority Properties (Temple, Gurudwara, Others) within a week’s time positively.
The SIT probe comes after Satish Mahaldar, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum, moved a complaint to the LG’s office and the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking investigation into the illegal lease and sale of temple properties across the valley.
In a statement issued to the media, Mahaldar expressed gratitude to LG Sinha for initiating the SIT probe.
“Since the last 33 years no successive governments have taken any initiative to protect temple properties of minorities of Kashmir. Despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease,” he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration/ revenue department has failed to protect the temple properties and has been unable to vacate the temple properties /premises, which have been leased out by the respective managements illegally for personnel favours,” he added.
The JK Peace Forum Chairman alleged that despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease.
Taking potshots at the successive governments, Mahaldar in the absence of Kashmiri Pandit community in the Valley, a few selective people in connivance with the J&K government officials operated defunct temple Trusts in between 1989 till 2022 and sold out or leased out temple properties.
He also demanded identification of the government employees involved in selling temple properties for a long time. He also alleged that the money collected illegally by the defunct societies/ temple trust was being used towards illegal activities which can harm the national interests.
“The defunct temples trust have not submitted any audited balance sheets, minutes of meetings nor have conducted any elections in the presence of the election officers deputed by registrar of societies from time to time,” Mahaldar said.
“We request the J&K administration to immediately take action against all non-residents who are not living in Kashmir since the last 32 years and have created a self-created Management trust of temples/ societies in various districts of Kashmir valley and are collecting money from the public,” he added.
The JK Peace Forum Chairman said that there were around 100 defunct temple trusts / societies operating illegally within the valley of Kashmir & outside Kashmir.
“The List of defunct temples trusts whose properties/ sold / encroached/ leased out are not even registered with the registrar of societies the Govt of J&K. The defunct Societies / temples trust had not submitted any audit report since 1990 till 2023,” he said.
He further added that among the offenders are several government departments. He said that nearly 25 kanal of temple land at Kohni-Khan, Dalgate, Srinagar, under custody of the Deputy Commissioner office, had been sold illegally and houses constructed
“Similarly, the shrine at Gundo Nowroze, Anantnag, has been illegally occupied by the Education Department. The Shiv Temple on the premises of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution office, Srinagar, has been encroached upon and a shop constructed near the gate,” Mahaldar added.
He also said that land has also been leased, rented or sold in Durga Nag, Barbershah, Lal Chowk and Hariparbat.
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