J&K orders investigation into 'illegal lease' of temple properties in Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed the deputy commissioners across the Valley to probe into the illegal leases of temple properties and submit the details of temples and gurudwaras in every district within a week's time.

The divisional commissioner of Kashmir issued an order to deputy commissioners of all ten districts of the Valley to probe the nexus in temple properties being used illegally. "I am hereby directed to enclose herewith copy of communication along with its enclosures from Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat References Monitoring Cell, J&K with the request to ascertain any such instances in your district and take appropriate necessary action under rules with intimation to this office," read a letter issued from Divisional Commissioner's office.

Besides, the deputy commissioners have been asked to furnish the updated inventory of religious minority properties--temple, gurudwara, others--within week's time positively.


The officials said the order has been issued in the wake of communication from the office of the home secretary of India directing the J&K LG's office to probe into the complaint of an individual alleging that a temple property has been given on lease illegally.