Inside Kashmir’s land scam: How one plot is sold over and over again

Retired Fisheries Director Mufti Manzoor discovered in 2017 that the land he purchased in 2012 had been fenced off and a house built on it without his knowledge or consent. He reported his concerns to revenue officials but received no response. The inquiry eventually revealed that a widespread land mafia was operating, with the same plots of land being sold multiple times through manipulated land records.

Nusrat Aziz, the Tehsildar of the same city suburb, allegedly ordered the cancellation of the mutations and sold the land to different buyers. Aziz signed the mutation documents, and bank statements and call records connected her to the officials involved in the scheme. Manzoor also claimed that Bhat, the broker who sold him the land, offered alternative deals involving huts being built but ultimately mortgaged the property.

A counter case was filed by Aziz against Manzoor and others for assault, but the court acquitted all parties involved.