Illegal sale of temple properties? Kashmir Pandit body seeks probe

SRINAGAR — Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants (RRRM) on Monday alleged that the J&K Government has failed to protect Hindu minority properties in Kashmir.

Satish Mahaldar, Chairman of RRRM, said that temple properties have been either sold or leased out illegally in several districts.

He said despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease. The Jammu and Kashmir administration, especially the Revenue department, has failed to protect the temple properties and has been unable to vacate the temple properties/premises which have been leased out by the respective managements illegally for personnel favours.

Satish Mahaldar claimed that in the absence of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the valley, a few selective people in connivance with the J&K Government officials operated defunct temple trusts between 1989 till 2022 and sold out/leased out temple properties.

“We are surprised how non-resident Kashmiri migrants are allowed to sell temple properties when the respective districts’ deputy commissioners (J&K Government) are the custodians of all migrant properties. The J&K Government is unable to retrieve the sold-out temple properties,” Mahaldar said and added that they are feeling suspicious that the J&K Government is protecting its employees who are involved in selling temple properties for a long time.

“We request Honorable Lt Governor that SIT probe be ordered immediately and the government officials should also be identified who, in connivance with a selective group of people, operated defunct temple trusts between 1989–2022 and sold out or leased out temple properties in Kashmir illegally,” Mahaldar demanded.