CBI probes Srinagar air force land scam

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday said it has entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a probe into the alleged grabbing of air force land in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar by land sharks in connivance with defence officials.

Defence Minister AK Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that an inquiry had been conducted into the issuing of no-objection certificates (NOCs) by officials for air force land in Srinagar.

"A preliminary inquiry was conducted and it was found that prima facie there have been irregularities in the issue of NOCs, which may have wider ramifications," Antony said.

"In order to get the matter thoroughly investigated and fix responsibility, the government has entrusted the enquiry to the CBI," he said.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in September alleged that over 200 acres of defence land around Srinagar air force base in Kashmir worth Rs.1,000 crore had been grabbed by a real-estate mafia in connivance with politicians and officials.

The party complained to Antony and sought a probe, claiming that the scam was "both a security concern and a financial irregularity".