SVC summons Deputy Custodian for illegal cancellation of lease

The State Vigilance Commission has summoned the Deputy Custodian of Evacuee Property Department in connection with "illegal" cancellation of lease of land in favour of an allotee in the summer capital Srinagar.
SVC has directed the Deputy Custodian (Central) Evacuee Property Department to appear in person on next date of hearing with relevant records and information sought for taking further action on the complaint filed by G L Ogra, an SVC spokesperson said.
These directions were issued at a meeting of the Commission, chaired by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, after examining a complaint lodged by Ogra against Custodian Evacuee Property Department therein challenging the cancellation of lease deed executed by the department on 5th April, 1985 with him.

The complainant has alleged that Custodian Department had leased out an evacuee property to him at Bagat-i-Barzulla, Srinagar for a period of forty years and subsequently he was using it for running a school under name and title "Green Vale Public School," the spokesperson said.
He has alleged the department cancelled the lease in an "arbitrary and discriminatory" manner in contravention of provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property, Preservation, Protection and Restrain of Distress Sales Act 1997.
He has further alleged that the department later allotted the property to another person without following the prescribed procedure and norms.

The Commission, after going through the records has prima facie observed that both the cancellation and subsequent allotment of the property was done arbitrarily and has sought personal appearance of Deputy Custodian to explain the misuse of authority.