SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered the eviction of several occupants of Nazool land in Srinagar, including the Mohi-ud-Din Trust building at Polo View market, citing the absence of a subsisting lease or valid renewal order.
Nazool land refers to government-owned property leased out for specified periods.
In a notice issued to the Mohi-ud-Din Trust, the Tehsildar Srinagar said the material submitted by the Trust failed to establish the existence of a subsisting lease or any order by the competent authority for its renewal or extension.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section (1) of the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, I, being the Estates Officer under the Act, hereby order the eviction of the Mohi-ud-Din Trust, Residency Road, Srinagar from the aforesaid public premises,” the notice reads.
The eviction order directs the Trust to vacate the premises and hand over peaceful possession to the Estates Officer by September 21, 2026, according to a report published by The Hindu.
The newspaper, quoting the Estates Department, reported that a prior notice was issued to the Trust on August 8, asking it to submit documentary evidence establishing its authorisation to occupy the premises.
The department said the Trust responded by submitting the original lease along with various representations and correspondence seeking renewal. However, it maintained that the documents “could not establish a subsisting lease”.
“In case of failure to comply with this order within the time specified, action for eviction and taking over possession of the public premises shall be taken under Section 5(2) of the Act,” the notice stated.
Similar eviction notices have been issued to occupants of Nazool land in other parts of Srinagar, including Karan Nagar, Rajbagh and Lal Chowk. Notices have also been served in cases involving alleged rent defaults.
In one notice issued in Karan Nagar, the Estates Department said the occupant had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the alleged default in rent payment and deviations from the terms and conditions of the original lease, including the stipulated purpose of the lease.
The notice further stated that the occupant’s reply relied on an earlier expired lease and the erstwhile Roshni Act, but failed to provide material justifying continued occupation of the land.
According to the notices, eviction proceedings in most of the cases are scheduled to be carried out on September 21.
The occupants have described the move as surprising and expressed concern that an eviction drive could render families homeless and adversely affect their livelihoods.
“We have been the lease holders of a property since the 1930s. We have been following the extension of lease regularly with the government in the past. However, it remains pending. We find these eviction notices surprising. There are hundreds of families living in houses on Nazool land. Any such drive will make people homeless and hit their livelihood,” The Hindu quoted a Rajbagh leaseholder as saying.
According to data cited in the report, 58,034 kanals of State land in Jammu and Kashmir are categorised as Nazool land, including 50,343 kanals in the Jammu division and 7,690 kanals in the Kashmir division.
Around 5,618 kanals of Nazool land have been leased for commercial activities in prominent markets in Jammu and Srinagar.
