Srinagar, Mar 30 (KNS) : Former Deputy Mayor and Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference secretary Sheikh Mohammed Imran on Monday alleged a coordinated legal and legislative strategy to facilitate renewal of high-value leasehold properties in Gupkar and commercial interests in Gulmarg.
In a video statement, Shiekh Imran pointed to a sequence of recent developments, including the reshuffle of law officers and the introduction of a new legislation in the Assembly, which he claimed were aimed at influencing pending court cases and bypassing auction norms for prime land.
He said the first step in the process was the reconstitution of the legal team through Government Order No. 3957-JK (LD) on March 28. This, he alleged, was followed by the tabling of the J&K Land Grants (Restoration & Protection) Bill, 2025, in the Assembly on Monday.
According to Shiekh Imran, the revamped legal team is expected to argue before the High Court that the pending matters are now covered under the proposed legislative framework, effectively neutralising active litigation.
He specifically referred to two key cases—WP(C) No. 210/2023 filed by Safia Abdullah Khan concerning Estate Sonwar, Gupkar, and WP(C) No. 57/2023 filed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah related to the Gupkar residence. Both leasehold properties are set to expire on August 26, 2026, and are currently protected by status quo orders.
People's Confrence leader claimed the proposed legislation seeks to repeal the 2022 rules that mandated auction-based allocation and restore the earlier framework that gives renewal preference to existing lessees.
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"This effectively grants the first right of refusal and protection from eviction, creating a direct pathway for lease renewal without open auction," he said in the statement.
The former deputy mayor alleged similar considerations extend to high-value hotel leases in Gulmarg, where multiple commercial properties have approached expiry. He claimed the same legal and legislative framework could facilitate their renewal, resulting in significant commercial gains.
He further alleged indications of "pre-aligned understandings" with beneficiaries, wherein both residential leases in Gupkar and hotel leases in Gulmarg are being addressed through a unified policy aimed at avoiding open auctions of prime land.
Shiekh Imran also noted an ongoing Enforcement Directorate case (CNR No. JKSG-0305-1841-2024), listed for hearing on Monday, and raised the possibility of its overlap with the lease-related developments.
The Peoples Conference leader said the synchronisation of legal restructuring, legislative intervention, and judicial positioning raised questions regarding transparency and the equitable management of public land and high-value assets in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)