SRINAGAR — A migrant woman has alleged encroachment on her property at Omarheer in the Soura area on the outskirts of Srinagar, claiming that a large portion of the land has been enclosed with concrete blocks and metal fencing despite court directions to maintain its status quo.
Shakuntala Jalali, daughter of Shambu Nath Jalali, a resident of Haba Kadal in Srinagar and currently residing at Muthi Migrant Camp in Jammu, has urged the Srinagar district administration to investigate the alleged encroachment and examine whether any officials were responsible for lapses in protecting the property.
Jalali said the property comprises around 165 kanals of land, including 51 kanals of open land.
The dispute is pending before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in WP(C) No. 1373/2023, titled Shakuntala Bhan v. UT of J&K and Others. An order dated February 7, 2024, directs the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, and the Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to ensure maintenance of status quo over the property.
An earlier order issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, on June 7, 2023, directed the Tehsildar Eidgah to take the property into custody under the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997.
Protective boards have also been installed at the site, declaring the property sub judice and under the custody of the District Magistrate.
Despite these measures, Jalali has alleged that a substantial portion of the land has been enclosed with concrete blocks and metal sheets.
She has also questioned the issuance of land-revenue extracts, known as Intikhab, by the concerned Patwari in favour of individuals claiming rights over the property.
When contacted by the news agency KNT, the concerned Ward Officer said the person who erected the concrete blocks had produced a land-revenue extract issued by the Patwari.
The concerned Patwari could not be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts.
Jalali has appealed to the district administration to examine how the revenue extract was issued in relation to the disputed property and take appropriate action against the alleged encroachers and any officials found responsible.
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