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RAJOURI, JULY 22:- A Rajouri-based family has demanded a high-level inquiry into the construction of the Bela Bus Stand following the recent floods that severely damaged the facility. The family has alleged irregularities in land acquisition, misuse of public funds, and administrative lapses in the execution of the project.
The family of Bhola Ram, Naresh Kumar and their sons claimed that the bus stand, reportedly constructed at a cost of around ₹4–5 crore, was built on their ancestral Malkana (hereditary ownership) land despite their repeated objections and pending legal proceedings.
According to the family, they have been pursuing the matter since 2019 and possess ownership documents supporting their claim. They alleged that despite approaching the authorities and filing a court case in 2021, construction work continued without resolving the ownership dispute.
The family further alleged that officials of the Municipal Council and Revenue Department harassed and intimidated them whenever they objected to the project. They also claimed they were branded as “land mafia” despite possessing documentary evidence and alleged that construction work continued even during late-night hours under police protection.
Questioning the expenditure of public money, the family asked why nearly ₹8–9 crore was spent on constructing a bus stand in what they described as a flood-prone red zone. They have sought an inquiry into whether proper technical, environmental and flood-risk assessments were conducted before the project was approved and who authorised the expenditure. They further demanded that if any irregularities are established, the financial liability should be fixed on the officials responsible.
The family has also called for a detailed investigation into land records and all residential and commercial structures constructed in the Bela Bus Stand area after 2014, questioning how construction permissions were granted if the area was officially vulnerable to flooding.
Referring to an alleged 2018 eviction drive carried out by the then Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, during which government land was reportedly cleared of encroachments, the family questioned how private constructions later came up in the same area.
They further alleged that repeated revenue demarcations identified different portions of the bus stand as belonging to their family, claiming that the inconsistencies raise serious questions about the maintenance of official land records.
The family also alleged that municipal waste was dumped along the riverbanks and covered with soil, narrowing the river channel and obstructing the natural flow of water. According to them, they had repeatedly warned the authorities that such activities, along with embankment construction, could divert floodwaters towards the Bela area. They claimed that the recent floods, which caused extensive damage to the bus stand, vehicles, houses and surrounding infrastructure, vindicated those concerns.
Demanding intervention from the Government of India, the family urged the constitution of a high-level inquiry or Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the expenditure on the Bela Bus Stand project, the legality of land acquisition, the role of Municipal Council and Revenue Department officials, approvals granted for construction in the flood-prone area, and any alleged misuse of public funds or administrative lapses.
The family stated that it possesses revenue records, documents, photographs and videos in support of its claims and is prepared to approach the High Court if required. They also appealed to the people of Rajouri to support their demand for a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into the matter.
Note: The allegations mentioned above are those of the family. The Municipal Council Rajouri and other concerned authorities had not responded to these allegations at the time of filing this report.
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