It may come as a shock, but over 1.66 lakh kanals of Custodian land remain under illegal occupation across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite government efforts, only 4,501 kanals have been retrieved in the past five years, indicating that reclaiming the entire encroached land could take decades.
Extent of Encroached Custodian Land Under Illegal Occupation in Jammu & Kashmir
As per the official report from the office of the Custodian General J&K, dated February 27, 2025, the total Custodian land in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 14,49,406 kanals—13,93,446 kanals in Jammu division and 55,960 kanals in Kashmir division. In response to a legislative assembly question, the Chief Minister and Minister Incharge Revenue revealed that Jammu division alone has 1,62,340 kanals under illegal occupation, while Kashmir division has 3,983 kanals encroached.
Efforts to Retrieve Encroached Land
The government maintains that the eviction of illegal occupants is an ongoing process. Over the past five years, the department has retrieved 4,501 kanals of land—2,060 kanals in Jammu division and 2,441 kanals in Kashmir division. However, a significant portion of illegally occupied land remains entangled in legal disputes, with the Custodian Department actively contesting cases for early resolution and recovery of land.
Legal Proceedings and Government Actions
The government has initiated legal actions under the J&K Evacuees (Administration of Property) Act to remove encroachments. However, the slow retrieval pace raises concerns, particularly in Jammu division, where only 2,060 kanals have been reclaimed. Given that the total encroached land stands at 1,62,340 kanals, reclaiming the entire area at this rate would take several decades.
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Land Grabbing and Corruption Scandals
Investigations reveal that hundreds of kanals of Custodian land have been fraudulently seized by land grabbers, often in collusion with Revenue and Police officials. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered multiple FIRs, especially in Jammu district, where revenue records were manipulated to facilitate illegal land sales.
According to ACB reports, fraudulent transactions involved tampering with official records, where power of attorneys and Form 3-A documents were obtained from PoK refugees under false promises of additional land and quick financial incentives ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Subsequently, unauthorized additions were made in the land records through misuse of official positions. The illegally acquired land was then sold to individuals, including key members of the land mafia, causing significant financial losses to the government.
Need for Urgent Action
Given the extent of illegal occupation and fraudulent land transactions, the Custodian Department must intensify its efforts to reclaim encroached land. Strengthening legal enforcement, enhancing transparency in land records, and fast-tracking litigation processes are crucial to preventing further encroachments. Additionally, recovered land should be utilized for constructive purposes, such as infrastructure development, housing projects, and public welfare initiatives.
The issue of Custodian land encroachment in Jammu and Kashmir remains a critical concern, requiring a multi-pronged approach to safeguard public assets and ensure lawful land use. Without stringent action, land mafias will continue exploiting legal loopholes, prolonging the struggle to reclaim government-owned properties.
