ACB books JMC’s ex-Sr Town Planner, ex-CEO, others for illegal construction of ‘Hot Billion’ Restaurant

Searches conducted in houses of accused; documents seized

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday registered an FIR against four senior officials of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and owner of Hot Billion restaurant for illegal construction at Rehari Chungi, spokesperson of ACB said.
Searches were conducted at the houses of the accused persons which led to recovery of incriminating material, he said.
The accused include Farzana Naqashbandi, the then Senior Town Planner, Satish Khajuria, the then Chief Khailafwarzi Officer, Abdul Gani, the then Assistant Enforcement Officer, Madan Lal Padha, the then Executive Officer, beneficiary Sanjeev Bhasin, owner of Hot Billion restaurant and others.
The verification revealed that one Sanjeev Bhasin sought the permission for renovation of his commercial building being run as a restaurant ‘Hot Billon’ to the extent of existing area in ground floor (102 sqft), proposed area in ground floor (127.5 Sqft), totalling 229.5 sqft and proposed 229.5 sqft area in first floor which was granted to him on July 22, 2013,” he said.
During the probe, it was found that the owner had initially constructed the whole building illegally in connivance with the then officers of JMC and under the garb of new permission, he raised a huge three-storied commercial building.
ACB registered a case against the officers of Jammu Municipal Corporation in illegal construction of a Restaurant at Rehari Chungi Jammu: Searches conducted
ACB has registered FIR 21/20 against the officers/ officials of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and beneficiaries on the basis of a verification which was conducted on a complaint alleging illegal construction by Bhasin family in the name of M/s Hot Billion at Rehari Chungi with the active connivance of officers/officials of Jammu Municipal Corporation.
The verification revealed that Sanjeev Bhasin, son of Inderjit Bhasin resident of 87-BC Road Rehari Jammu sought the permission for renovation/repair of his commercial building being run as a restaurant “Hot Billon” at Rehari Chungi Jammu to the extent of (i) existing Area in G.F=102 Sqft., (ii) Proposed area in G.F=127.5 Sqft., total (229.5 Sqft.) and (iii) Proposed area in 1st floor=229.5 Sqft., which was granted to him vide No. 417/BC/2013 dated 22.07.2013.
It was found that besides the above mentioned permission so sought as well as granted, the permission was even granted for construction of 2nd floor in the same order by the Senior Town Planner, JMC Jammu to the extent of 229 Sqft., which was not sought by him. It further surfaced during probe that the said owner has initially constructed the whole building illegally in connivance with the then officers/officials of JMC and under the garb of new permission raised a huge three storied commercial building.
The ACB verification further revealed that the owner has illegally constructed commercial building with an area of nearly 4570 Sqft. on 2nd floor without permission upon similar type of construction made for the ground and 1st floor. Moreover the columns for the 3rd floor were also found to be laid.
The said illegal huge commercial construction was facilitated illegally and dishonestly by the officers/officials of Jammu Municipality Corporation namely Farzana Naqashbani, the then Sr. Town Planner, Satish Kahjuria, the then Chief Khilafwarzi Officer, Abdul Gani, the then Assistant Enforcement Officer and Madan Lal Padha, the then Executive Officer which is in violation of sanctioned building plan, master plan, Zonal regulations and building Bye-Laws (COBO Act) etc. By acting in this manner, the above named officers/officials of JMC abused their official positions and in connivance with beneficiary namely Sanjeev Bhasin conferred huge benefits upon him.
These acts of omission and commission on the part of JMC officials and the beneficiary constitute offences punishable under section 5 (1) (d) r/w 5 (2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and Section 120-B RPC.
Consequently FIR 21/20 has been registered. Subsequently, search warrants were sought and searches were conducted. Incriminating material was seized during the searches. Further investigation in the case is going on.