Land encroachment in Patnitop: CBI registers a case against eight former public servants

NEW DELHI: Eight months after it launched a preliminary enquiry into alleged violations of the master Plan of Patnitop area (Jammu & Kashmir) by hotel owners/commercial establishment owners, in cahoots with public servants serving at Patnitop Development Authority and others, the CBI has registered a case against eight former public servants.
These also include then CEOs of Patnitop Development Authority, District Udhampur (J&K) and others including Owners/Proprietors of Hotels/Resorts/Guest Houses.

Searches were conducted on Tuesday at eleven locations including Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua Districts of J&K at the offices & residential premises of said public servants including then CEOs of Patnitop Development Authority, Transport Department, Sales Tax Department etc. The agency claims that the searches led to recovery of incriminating documents, huge investment in Fix Deposits and immovable properties etc

The PE was launched on the directions of Jammu and Kashmir High Court passed on December 31 last year.

The order were passed by the High Court on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the President of Hotel and Restaurant Association, Patnitop. The petitioner had alleged glaring violations of the Master plan of Patnitop area resulting in 70 percent of hotels and restaurants having been constructed without permission.

The petitioner had further alleged that constructions have been illegally done on green buffer areas, forest land, State and including Kahcharai land in alleged connivance with officials of Patnitop Development Authority and others.

The agency had constituted a team of more than 30 officers/officials who are currently camping at Patnitop, Udhampur and Jammu in connection with the enquiry, said agency sources.

Patnitop is a popular hill station on the Jammu-Srinagar route which is frequently visited to enjoy snowfall in winters. The hill resort has many hotels and other facilities for the tourists.

The infrastructure at Patnitop has been growing at a rapid pace over the past few years which is threatening the fragile ecology of the area.