RAJOURI, Jul 26: A family from Rajouri has demanded an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Special Investigation Team (SIT), or any other high-level inquiry into the construction of the Bela Bus Stand and Bela Colony project. The family has alleged that their ancestral (Malkana) land was unlawfully occupied for the project without due legal process and has called for accountability from the officials involved.
According to the family, they have been engaged in a legal battle over the disputed land since 2019. The matter was initially taken up before the District Court in Rajouri and later reached the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, where it remains sub judice. They allege that despite the pending litigation, construction work continued on the disputed land without their consent and without following the prescribed legal procedures.
The family claims that no lawful notice was served before the construction began and that their repeated objections before various government departments were ignored. They allege that the authorities proceeded with the project while the ownership dispute was still under judicial consideration.
The family has further alleged that they faced continuous harassment, intimidation, and administrative pressure throughout their legal struggle. According to them, they were allegedly threatened on multiple occasions and subjected to attempts to silence their opposition to the project. They also claim that unlawful monetary demands were made during the course of the dispute, asserting that they possess documentary evidence which they are prepared to submit before any competent investigating agency.
Serious questions have also been raised regarding the handling of revenue records. The family alleges that land demarcation was conducted four different times and that each exercise reportedly produced different results. They contend that these inconsistencies cast doubt on the transparency and integrity of the revenue records and warrant an independent examination.
Seeking accountability, the family has demanded an investigation into the role of present and former Executive Officers of the Municipal Council Rajouri, concerned Tehsildars, Patwaris, Girdawars, revenue officials, and other public servants associated with the matter. They allege that instead of safeguarding their legal rights, these officials repeatedly harassed the family and failed to address their grievances fairly.
The recent flash floods that caused extensive damage to the Bela Bus Stand and surrounding areas have, according to the family, raised fresh concerns about the project’s planning and approvals. They have questioned why a multi-crore public infrastructure project was constructed in what they describe as a flood-prone area and have sought an inquiry into the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), building permissions, technical clearances, environmental assessments, and flood-risk evaluations. They have also questioned whether any administrative negligence contributed to the scale of destruction caused by the floods.
The family claims to have incurred legal and related expenses of approximately Rs 40–45 lakh between 2019 and 2026 in their efforts to protect the disputed property. They further allege that around 20 temporary kiosks or sheds, in which they had invested nearly ₹10 lakh, were completely washed away during the floods along with what they claim was their ancestral land.
Calling for a comprehensive criminal and administrative investigation, the family has urged the Government of India, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, and other competent agencies to examine the legality of the land acquisition, the planning and expenditure of the Bela Bus Stand project, the authenticity of revenue records, repeated land demarcations, building permissions and NOCs, and the role of the Municipal Council Rajouri, the Revenue Department, Flood Control authorities, and other departments concerned. They have also sought an inquiry into the alleged harassment, intimidation, procedural violations, abuse of official position, and possible misuse of public funds.
The family maintains that it possesses land ownership documents, court records, RTI replies, photographs, videos, and other documentary evidence, which it is prepared to place before any competent authority or inquiry committee. It has appealed for a fair, transparent, independent, and time-bound investigation, stating that responsibility should be fixed if any irregularities or violations of law are established.