Revenue officers accused of record tampering, delaying inquiries in Mirpurkhas

KARACHI: Serious allegations of deliberate record tampering and deliberately delayed inquiries have surfaced against several revenue officials in Mirpurkhas, concerning key land-related cases involving influential persons.

According to official documents seen by The News, two senior officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mirpurkhas allegedly altered the official land record of a local businessman, Junaid Khan. They are accused of reducing his property area from 13,413 sq ft to 3,413 sq ft by changing the numerical entry from “1” to “0”.

True copies of the original record, obtained prior to the alleged manipulation, confirm the tampering. The landowner, Junaid Khattak, claimed the act was retaliatory, following an earlier inquiry involving his 22-acre land which led to the suspension of several revenue officers. “Despite my prior submissions to the DC Mirpurkhas regarding possible retaliatory actions, the tampering was carried out. I am now receiving indirect threats over my Petrol Pump land,” Khattak told The News. Khattak further alleged that despite a revenue officer’s alleged involvement in the record misappropriation, the district revenue authorities assigned that same officer to conduct an inquiry into his own alleged wrongdoing. The officer subsequently submitted what the complainant described as a “fabricated and self-serving” report.

Following another complaint, the inquiry was reassigned to Saud Bin Munam, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Taluka Hussain Bux Marri, and his subordinate, Mukhtiarkar Supio. In his official report, Mukhtiarkar Supio confirmed tampering, citing field verification by the Supervising and Area Tapedars. However, AC Saud Bin Munam submitted a contradictory report, terming a major portion of the land as “tampered with, illegal, and overlapped with state land.”

In a separate case, land belonging to the Sindh Irrigation Department (Bhadda) in Deh 108, Taluka Hussain Bux Marri—valued at millions of rupees—was allegedly facilitated for transfer to a local businessman with the active support of certain revenue officials. Despite clear findings of tampering from the concerned Mukhtiarkar and Tapedar, sources claim the district management authorities have yet to take action.

Complainants in both issues, Junaid Khattak and Ihtsham Shabeer, confirmed they have submitted formal complaints with documentary evidence to the Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR), the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

Assistant Commissioner Saud Bin Munam of Taluka Hussain Bux Marri, Mirpurkhas, defended the actions of the district revenue officials, including his own. He asserted that all work under his jurisdiction was conducted strictly on merit, in accordance with revenue laws and the national interest. “Every action taken in the offices of the DC Mirpurkhas and AC Hussain Bux Marri is based on merit, justice, and transparency. I tolerate no wrongdoing,” Khan said.

He claimed the Mukhtiarkar’s report, which contradicted his findings, was “submitted under pressure.” When asked to specify the nature of pressure, he maintained that any officer found guilty of manipulation would face legal action. He further stated that a comprehensive report has already been sent to the DC, recommending strict action against officers involved in irregularities.