Official suspended for land record tampering

LAHORE : The Rajanpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) has suspended the Girdawar of circle Rojhan when a record tampering case was registered against him.

The DC suspended Mazhar Hussain Shah, Girdawar (Circle Rojhan) with additional charge of Circle Shahwali when a case was registered against him.

According to an official order, on January 30, 2025, Mazhar Shah was suspended from service due to an FIR 7/24 against him on October 25, 2024. He was directed to report to the office of NTO, ADC(R), Rajanpur with immediate effect.

The order issued by the DC has been forwarded to relevant officials, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), the Assistant Commissioner Jampur, Rajanpur & Rojhan, and the District Accounts Officer for necessary compliance.

Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) had registered a case against several individuals, including revenue officials, over alleged land fraud in Jampur, Rajanpur district.

According to the FIR, Mukhtar Hussain Khan accused Mazhar Hussain and others of fraudulently transferring 795 kanals of land instead of the rightful 512 kanals. The complainant had earlier approached the Additional Commissioner, who ordered the cancellation of the illegal transfer. However, local officials allegedly tampered with records to shield the accused.

The case has been registered under Sections 420, 468, 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 52 of the Punjab Corruption Act (PCA). The complainant has demanded an impartial inquiry, citing the presence of a land mafia in the region.

ACE has initiated investigations, and further legal action is expected. Talking to The News, Mazhar Hussain alleged that the FIR against him was registered after the complainant paid a hefty bribe to the Circle Officer of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Rojhan.

He claimed that the complainant is an influential individual with strong ties within the ACE. “I have knocked at the court’s door to seek justice against this injustice,” he said.

Hussain denied any involvement in corruption, stating, “If I were guilty, ACE would have arrested me by now.” He further alleged that both the Circle Officer and the Director of ACE DG Khan had demanded a bribe from him. “Since I refused to pay a hefty amount, they registered an FIR against me,” he asserted.

Talking to The News Basharat Nabi , Director Dera Ghazi Khan ACE, said he has assumed the charge recently and will see the matter purely on merit.