GUJAR KHAN, Sept 23: Revenue authorities here are trying to hush up a scam regarding tampering of the revenue records of Gujar Khan city and its adjoining areas, it has been learnt.
Haji Mohammad Ayub, Chaudhry Mohammad Yasir, Hafiz Mohammad Nasir and Raja Mohammad Younus told a press conference at Potohar Press Club Gujar Khan on Sunday that Azhar Kiani, a recently-suspended patwari Missa Kaswal (additional) circles, had replaced the names of the genuine owners in the old land records with that of a ‘specific group’ of land mafia. This has deprived dozens of residents of their precious properties, they alleged.
The aggrieved persons claimed that their land records had been tampered with and transferred to Ghulam Latif. A complaint was lodged against the malpractice which led to the immediate suspension of the patwari. But when the aggrieved party tried to regain possession, a criminal case was registered against their family members in connivance with the police.
They then moved from pillar to post seeking justice but neither the assistant commissioner nor the tehsildar resolved their concerns.
They pointed out that the mutations of land, bearing numbers 376, 169, 420, 384, 426 and 388 in Chohan Nijar area were tampered with. Similarly, in Barki Budhal 1154, 1133, 240, and 237, in Karoli 199 and in Negail Umer Khan 1348 were transferred via bogus entries.
Over 50 mutation numbers in Jhanda, Negail Umer Khan and Barki Budhal areas had been tampered with and their revenue records were available.
Haji Mohammad Ayub and his relatives also showed several documents wherein the names of the genuine owners were expunged but not refilled.
They said the scam had been unearthed by Ch. Jameel Patwari who had taken over the charge after Azhar Kiani was suspended.
However, when Ch. Jameel pointed out the large scale tampering to his seniors, they suspended him, they alleged.
Jameel Patwari, when contacted by this reporter, confirmed the claims and added that the bogus records were in his possession. Upon correspondence, Saqib Zafar, DCO Rawalpindi, said the complaint had been received and an enquiry was being conducted by the additional deputy commissioner (general) Rawalpindi.
Haji Mohammad Ayub and his relatives called upon the chief justice of Lahore High Court and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to order an inquiry into the matter.