CBI set to complete probe in illegal defence land sale in Srinagar

NEW DELHI: CBI is to soon conclude its probe against the then defence estate officer Ajay Chowdhury in connection with the alleged sale of defence land worth crores of rupees near high security Srinagar airport to private individuals. The agency has accused him of conspiracy for the gross irregularities in issuing 'no objection certificates'.

CBI sources said it found 'serious violations' of rules and regulations during the probe, which will be put in the final report to be placed before a special court in the form of a charge-sheet.

The agency had registered a case against Chowdhury, his second-in-command Vijay Kumar and a lady officer in the same department under various sections of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and for criminal conspiracy and cheating.

Chowdhury is a 1997-batch defence estates official and has been under suspension since the case was registered against him by CBI. "CBI has not given any clearance for his reinstatement in service and has not received any such request seeking clearance to be reinstated," said an officer.

A huge chunk of the defence ministry land near a sensitive zone in Srinagar was suspected to have been taken by private persons in connivance with the accused.

As per rules, defence land cannot be alienated to anyone without prior approval but the accused officials allegedly entered into criminal conspiracy with unknown private persons and issued NOCs for the purpose of sale or purchase of defence land measuring 12.25 acres.

During the preliminary probe of the defence ministry, it was found that more than 70 NOCs were issued by the defence estates department in Srinagar during the last four years. These NOCs were issued to private parties to buy more than 200 acres of land near high security military installations in Srinagar.

The agency had registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) last year during which it claimed to have found evidence that NOCs were granted to arbitrarily.