Bilal Bhat
Srinagar | 15 May 2026
A major controversy has erupted in after a Panchayat Secretary issued a controversial “Show-Cause Notice / Removal Order” over an alleged encroachment, even as revenue records reportedly show that the land in question is registered in the name of Fameeda Banu, while the notice itself was issued against her son, Sahil Ashraf.
The development came when the whistleblower alleged Corruption within the department and in return VLW issued a notice against him. Alleging that the notice was not a lawful administrative action but an instrument of intimidation, harassment, and coercion allegedly backed by elements within the rural development setup.
The notice, issued from the office of the Panchayat Secretary, Halqa Tumlahal, directs removal of an alleged unauthorized fencing within 48 hours and threatens “forceful removal,” recovery of costs, and legal proceedings. However, serious questions are now being raised over how such a coercive notice could be issued without any publicly known demarcation order, revenue adjudication, or proceedings initiated by competent revenue authorities.
Advocate Danish Nabi Bhat a legal observers argue that if the land officially stands registered in the name of Fameeda Banu, issuing the notice against another individual instead of the recorded landholder further weakens the credibility and legality of the proceedings.
“This is not governance. This is misuse of office,” said one local source familiar with the matter. “Such notices are increasingly being used as tools to threaten and blackmail ordinary people. A Panchayat Secretary cannot suddenly start behaving like a court, Tehsildar, or District Magistrate unless there is backing from higher officials. Otherwise, how can such notices be issued so aggressively and on whose behest?”
The source further alleged that the matter requires immediate investigation by anti-corruption authorities to determine whether public office is being weaponized for personal vendetta, extortion, or pressure tactics.
“Villagers are now scared that anyone wo raises questions can be targeted through administrative notices without proper legal process. Today it is one family, tomorrow it can be someone else,” Ashraf a local said .
The controversy has intensified because the notice reportedly contains no annexed demarcation report, no khasra verification, no detailed revenue references, and no order from a competent authority conclusively declaring the structure an encroachment on public land.
Official Legal experts note that while Panchayat functionaries may report or flag alleged encroachments, coercive removal action involving disputed land generally falls within the jurisdiction of Revenue authorities after due process, demarcation, and hearing.
The incident has now sparked demands for intervention by the , with villagers urging Director ACB to immediately intervene and order a full investigation into the issuance of the notice, possible abuse of authority, and the alleged involvement of higher officials.
“We request the ACB to investigate who authorized this action, under what law this notice was issued, and whether public office is being misused to harass and extort citizens,” said Rayees Ahmad another villager. “If officers start issuing threatening notices beyond their powers, it destroys public trust in institutions.”
Awami Reporter repeatedly attempted to contact the concerned VLW/Panchayat Secretary Suhail for his official version, however he did not respond to repeated phone calls. Multiple attempts were also made to contact the concerned BDO MohammadAshraf , but no response was received despite repeated efforts.
Awami Reporter also contacted concerned ACD Dr. Arshid Hussain, who initially stated that he would “look into the matter” while appearing to justify the VLW’s actions. During the interaction, questions were raised regarding whether a Panchayat Secretary is legally empowered to issue notices concerning private property. The ACD reportedly stated that such powers relate to Panchayat-possessed properties only. However, when further clarification and official comments were sought, he allegedly stopped responding to repeated calls and messages.
In a final attempt to seek accountability, Awami Reporter tried contacting newly appointed Director Reyaz Ahmad Wani, but despite multiple calls, no response was received from his office either.
Locals say the silence of senior officials is deepening public suspicion and raising uncomfortable questions about institutional accountability and administrative transparency.
“This silence itself speaks volumes,” said Mohammad Asif a local resident. “When officers stop responding instead of clarifying facts, people naturally begin to suspect that something is being hidden.”
Meanwhile, fresh allegations have also surfaced from locals claiming that the concerned BDO is “deeply involved” and that serious irregularities and alleged embezzlement in certain MGNREGA/NREGA-related projects in the area also require investigation by vigilance and anti-corruption authorities. These allegations, however, remain unverified and no official response has been issued so far.
As anger continues to grow in the area, the issue is rapidly transforming from a local fencing dispute into a larger public debate over alleged bureaucratic overreach, abuse of office, administrative silence, and the fear among villagers that government machinery can be weaponized against ordinary citizens without accountability.
A local Journalist and RTI activist Bilal Ur Rehman filed an RTI to expose the alleged Corruption but to his dismay he said
“This is how transparency is crushed at the grassroots. Instead of providing answers, officials are allegedly creating financial barriers to discourage citizens from seeking accountability. Asking nearly ₹5000 from a common man for public records amounts to institutional intimidation. RTI was meant to empower people, not silence them through excessive charges.”
Rehman further added,
“If records related to Panchayat works, MGNREGA expenditure and public funds are hidden behind massive photocopy fees, then how can poor villagers ever expose corruption or misuse of public money? Transparency cannot survive when truth is priced beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.”
Another RTI activist Siraj Din Salaam while speaking to Awami Reporter said, “This is becoming a new tactic to discourage common people from using the RTI Act. The standard RTI photocopy rate is generally ₹2 per page, yet applicants are being confronted with inflated demands running into thousands. This defeats the spirit of the RTI law.”
“The RTI Act also provides for soft copies wherever possible. If records already exist digitally, burdening citizens with huge photocopy charges raises serious questions about intent. Authorities must clarify whether they are trying to provide information or discourage scrutiny.”
Ironically, a RTI reply received by RTI activist Syed Adil clearly mentions photocopy charges of ₹2 per page.
He said authorities must explain why different rates are allegedly being imposed here. Strict action should be taken against the concerned Rural Development officials, including the BDO and PIO, if rules have been violated.”
