Jammu scribe’s family seeks FIR against JDA Vice Chairman over demolition of residence

The father of journalist Arfaz Daing, whose 40-year-old house was demolished on November 27 in Jammu, on Thursday (December 4, 2025) lodged a complaint before the Police Station Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, and sought a First Information Report (FIR) against the Vice Chairman of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

“I moved the application so that action is taken against those who illegally demolished our house,” Ghulam Qader Daing, father of the scribe, said.

In the complaint, the Daing family alleged that a demolition team of the JDA “forcibly and illegally demolished my residential house situated at Channi Rama, Jammu” on November 27.

The complaint said the demolition was carried out without a notice being served, without following the due procedure of law, and in a selective and discriminatory manner, causing wrongful loss to the Daing family.

“Several police officials were also present during the demolition and actively assisted the JDA team despite the action being illegal, thereby abusing their official position and violating my constitutional and legal rights,” it said.

The complaint accused the JDA Vice Chairman and other officers of rendering the family, including kids, shelterless in harsh winter conditions, “causing immense physical, mental, and financial distress”.

“The officials, along with the police personnel present at the spot, have committed cognisable offences including criminal trespass, mischief causing damage, criminal intimidation, abuse of power, and conspiracy, punishable under the BNS,” it added.

The alleged “selective” demolition evoked sharp reactions from the political parties and the civil society groups in Jammu. Ruling National Conference (NC) and Opposition parties, including BJP, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress, condemned the JDA move and visited the site of demolition to express their support for the scribe’s family.