59 hotels in J-K under CBI lens for master plan breach

The J&K high court had, on December 31 last year, directed the CBI to submit a report after completing the probe within eight weeks.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a preliminary enquiry (PE) to investigate alleged violations of the master plan of Patnitop area by at least 59 hotels and resorts in Jammu and Kashmir following which a special team of 30 officers has been rushed to the Valley, CBI spokesperson Nitin Wakankar said on Wednesday.

A view of snow covered Patnitop hill resort area, about 115 km from Jammu. (PTI)

The J&K high court had, on December 31 last year, directed the CBI to submit a report after completing the probe within eight weeks. “This order has been passed on a PIL filed by the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Patnitop, wherein he has alleged glaring violations of the master plan of the Patnitop area, resulting in 70 per cent of hotels and restaurants being constructed without permission,” a CBI official, who didn’t wish to be named, said.