CBI begins probe into alleged violations of Patnitop master plan

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has launched a preliminary enquiry into the alleged violations of the master plan of the Patnitop area in Jammu & Kashmir by the owners of some hotels and other commercial establishments, in cahoots with public servants.

The enquiry has been launched on the directions of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, passed on December 31. The president of the Hotel & Restaurant Association, Patnitop, had filed a PIL, alleging violations of the master plan that the petitioner said resulted in 70% of the hotels and restaurants in the area having been constructed without permission.

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


To look into the allegations, the CBI has constituted a team of more than 30 officials who are currently camping at Patnitop, Udhampur and Jammu, sources at the central agency said.

Patnitop is a popular hill station on the Jammu-Srinagar route.