Srinagar, Jan 4: In a sensational revelation, the High Court Bar Association said Monday several Revenue Department officials in league with some lawyers, petition writers and stamp vendors at Kangan, Ganderbal and Srinagar, besides the brokers active there, had   allegedly been involved in largescale sale of land in Sonamarg area in favour of non-state subjects.
 In a statement, the Association’s general-secretary, Advocate G N Shaheen, said show-cause notices were being issued to its member lawyers, petition writers and stamp vendors directly or indirectly involved in the massive scandal. Decision to the effect was taken after a meeting of the Association on Monday.
 Quoting reliable sources, Shaheen alleged that several Revenue Department officials had entered into conspiracy with various lawyers, petition writers, stamp vendors and brokers to facilitate largescale sale of land in the tourist resort of Sonamarg and nearby areas. “At the Srinagar courts alone, more than 200 sale deeds or agreements to sell were registered with the Sub Registrar or Public Notaries during recent months,” he said. 
 Describing the ‘dubious’ land transfer to non-state subjects as “extremely grave,” he said,  “it smacks of a deep conspiracy not merely to disturb the state’s existing political status but also to change the Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir’s demographic complexion and balance.”
 “In the backdrop of the transfer of land in these areas by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which was foiled by a popular effort, a new method has been adopted to disturb the existing political status and Muslim majority character of Jammu and Kashmir,” the meeting was told. “The Bar Association will take all necessary legal and political steps to expose the scandal,” the statement said.
 Meanwhile, the statement said, the Bar Association had appealed to all the lawyers, petition writers and others to desist from getting involved in any activity aimed at transfer of land to non-state subjects. They should not make their professional services available to anyone involved in the nefarious activity.
 “On the one hand the National Conference and Congress coalition government is engaged in hoodwinking the state people by proclaiming its commitment to safeguard Article 370 of the Constitution, and, on the other, the same government is involved in the changing the existing status of Jammu and Kashmir by encouraging criminals in the sale of land to non-state subjects,” the statement said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 4 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 4 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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