JAMMU, OCTOBER 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed chargesheet against Kanta Andotra, wife of former minister and chairman of the Dogra Swabiman Sanghthan, Choudhary Lal Singh, for illegal possession and encroachment of land in Kathua district by an Educational Trust headed by her as its chairperson.
Kanta Andotra also happens to be former MLA from Basohli.
A former Patwari of Muthi Hardo (now Marheen) Ravinder Singh who had allegedly facilitated the Education Trust acquire land in excess of the ceiling prescribed under the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, also figured as an accused in the chargesheet.
The CBI had registered the instant case against an Educational Trust (through its Chairperson) based at Kathua (J&K) and others on September 12, 2020.
Earlier, a Preliminary Enquiry was conducted by CBI on the allegations of encroachment of huge tract of public/govt/forest land in district Kathua (J&K) by certain persons in violation of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act in connivance with Revenue and Forest officials. Searches were also conducted on Septmber 15, 2020 at 10 locations including Jammu and Kathua at the premises of accused.
During investigation it was found that the then Chairperson of said Educational Trust allegedly entered into conspiracy with the then Patwari, Patwar Halqa Muthi Hardo, Tehsil Hiranagar (now Marheen), District Kathua.
It was also alleged that in pursuance to the conspiracy, fards were issued by said Patwari, without mentioning the details in respect of ceiling imposed under J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 and mutations were attested, thus facilitating illegal acquisition of land beyond ceiling limit by the said Educational Trust, in gross violation of the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976.
Further investigations are in progress.
