LAHORE: The district administration has cancelled the transfer of 24 kanal and six marla of valuable government forest land in Fatehpur after an inquiry found serious irregularities in the revenue record, while the matter has been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for legal action against the officials and private person allegedly involved.
The land, situated along the main MM Road at Chak No. 244/TDA, Fatehpur, tehsil Karor, was owned and possessed by the forest department.
Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar told Dawn that a private person, described as a ‘munshi’/personal assistant of a political personality from Karor Lal Eason, was allegedly involved in the matter.
He said the case had been referred to NAB for legal action against the revenue officials and the private individual allegedly involved in the land transfer. The officials facing action included the patwari, girdawar and revenue officer concerned, he added.
Case referred to NAB; revenue officials to face Peeda action
The matter came to light after the Layyah forest division deputy conservator pointed out that the land had been transferred in the revenue record.
The deputy commissioner ordered an inquiry by the Karor assistant commissioner.
The inquiry, after examining the relevant revenue record and other documents, found that the land had been transferred through mutation No. 1382, which was sanctioned and attested on Feb 6, 2023.
According to the inquiry findings available with Dawn, the mutation was made for adjustment against the claim of a private individual. However, several irregularities were detected in the process.
The inquiry concluded that the land could not legally be transferred in lieu of a private claim. It also questioned the legal standing and authenticity of documents produced after nearly five decades in support of the claim.
The inquiry found that the alleged documents included photocopies whose authenticity had not been properly established. It also noted that the forest department, being the owner of the land, had not been properly summoned or made a party to the proceedings.
The inquiry further found no relevant court proceedings or judicial order authorising the transfer of the land and observed that the mutation had been processed on the basis of questionable documentation.
Taking notice of the findings, Mr Dogar cancelled mutation No. 1382 and declared it void ab initio.
He directed the Karor Lal Eason assistant commissioner/collector to correct the revenue record and restore the government land to its previous status.
The deputy commissioner also ordered departmental proceedings under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (Peeda) Act 2006 against the revenue officials found responsible for the irregularities.
Separately, legal action has been directed against the private individual allegedly involved in the disputed transaction.
Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026
