Allege that despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease which in cumulative analysis is a large-scale fraud

Migrant Kashmiri Pandits led by the Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants, a private organisation, have demanded a SIT probe into alleged large-scale racket of leasing and selling of land of temples in the Valley by some people in connivance with government officials.

The Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants works for migrants of Kashmir.

The Pandits held a protest over the matter. They have appealed to the Lt Governor ofJ&K, Manoj Sinha, to immediately order the probe.

They alleged the Jammu and Kashmir administration/revenue department has failed to protect the temple properties and has been unable to vacate the temple properties/premises which have been illegally leased out by the respective managements which had become defunct and dubious.

They said in the absence ofPandit community in the valley, a few people in collusion with the J&K govt officialsoperated defunct temple trusts in between 1989 till 2022 andsold out/leased out temple properties.

"We request Honorable Lt Governor that an SIT probebe ordered immediately and the government officials should also be identified who in connivance with a selective group of people operated defunct temple trusts in between 1989 - 2022 and sold out/leased out temple properties in Kashmir illegally," Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants chairman Satish Mahaldar said.

He added that despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease which in cumulative analysis is a large-scale fraud.

Besides the court orders, there is Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress, Sales) Act, 1997 vogue, which has been breached time and again.

The protesters said it is surprisinghow non-resident Kashmiri migrants are allowed to sell temple properties when the respective districts deputy commissioners are the custodians of all migrant properties.

They expressed concern that the J&K governmenthas failedto retrieve the land, and also not taken action against these defunct trusts/societies.

"We suspect that the J&K government is protecting its employees who are involved in selling temple properties for a long time," Mahaldar alleged.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 18th April , 2022