Srinagar: The Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar has registered a case against Maeen Azhar Kakroo, the then Tehsildar South Srinagar, for allegedly abusing his official position by demanding and accepting illegal gratification in connection with land restoration and demarcation.
According to officials, FIR No. 03 of 2026 has been registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The case originated from a verification conducted by the bureau following a complaint related to illegal encroachment issues and alleged bribery during land restoration and demarcation carried out in the year 2021.
During verification, it was found that land measuring 4 Kanals 9 Marlas and 165 square feet, including Survey No. 998/54, was recorded in the names of several individuals, including the complainant. The verification revealed that the accused public servant allegedly demanded illegal gratification for facilitating the restoration of 14 Marlas of land located at Gulbahar Colony, Hyderpora, Sector 14, Srinagar.
Officials said it further emerged that a second-hand Mahindra Rexton 4×4 vehicle bearing registration number MH03CP-5000 was allegedly accepted as illegal gratification. Payments for the vehicle were reportedly made by the complainant through banking transactions from his Paytm account linked with J and K Bank Batamaloo.
The verification also revealed that after the restoration, the said land was sold by the complainant in January 2022 to a private purchaser and is presently under her possession.
The ACB said that by allegedly demanding and accepting illegal gratification other than legal remuneration in connection with an official act, the accused abused his official position, attracting provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Following registration of the FIR, searches were conducted after obtaining warrants from the competent court at two locations, including the residential house at Kanil Bagh, Azad Road, Baramulla, and another residential house at Rose Avenue Colony, Gazalla Abad, HMT Srinagar. During the searches, incriminating material including revenue records and financial and banking documents were recovered and seized as evidence.
Notably, the accused was appointed on compassionate grounds during the tenure of former PDP leader and Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed after his father, who was serving as PDP Block President, was killed by unidentified gunmen. The accused was presently posted at Tehsildar Khansahab and was also holding additional charge of Khag Budgam. Further investigation in the case is underway. [KNT]
