SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir government has said that the allotment of 17 kanals of evacuee land, commonly known as the MET Playground at Rawalpora in Baghat-e-Barzulla, to the Police Department is currently sub judice in the High Court. The case, titled Football Association Baghat-e-Barzulla versus UT of JK and others (WP(C) No. 2372/2025, CM 6270/2025), is under consideration, and therefore the government said it could not offer a detailed reply on the matter.
The Revenue Department, in its response to a starred question by MLA Mushtaq Guroo, confirmed that the Evacuee Property Department had earlier leased out ten kanals of evacuee land at Indira Nagar, Srinagar, in favour of the Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir Zone, for constructing a hostel for families of police martyrs. A proper lease agreement had been executed and the land handed over to the Police Department. However, the Cantonment Board authorities denied permission for any construction, as the site fell within the restricted zone of the 2 FOD under the Cantonment Board.
Following this, the land at Indira Nagar was taken back by the Custodian Department for management and preservation. In exchange, the Police Department was leased an alternate parcel of evacuee land measuring ten kanals at Baghat-e-Barzulla, the department said.
The government further clarified that all such leases of evacuee land are executed under Rule 13-C of the Jammu Kashmir Evacuees’ (Administration of Property) Rules, Svt. 2008, framed under the Jammu and Kashmir Evacuees’ (Administration of Property) Act, Svt. 2006.
Responding to whether public consultation was sought before the allotment, the government said that evacuee properties are not public properties but are held in trust by the Custodian on behalf of evacuees. Their management, allotment, or lease is a statutory function governed entirely by law, and there is no provision requiring public or community feedback prior to any such administrative action.
The government maintained that all actions regarding evacuee land allotments are aimed at proper management and optimal utilisation of assets belonging to evacuees, in accordance with the existing legal framework.
