Srinagar, June 24: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet against six public servants and a contractor in connection with an alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for developmental works in Block Lolab/Lalpora of Kupwara district.
The charge-sheet was filed before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in connection with FIR No. 02/2020 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla.
According to the ACB, the case originated from allegations of large-scale irregularities in developmental works executed through the Rural Development Department in the Lolab area of Kupwara district.
The investigation pertains to two works — “Construction of Sarband at Margi Diver (Kariwan) Phase-I” and “Construction of Fisheries Pond at Diver-B.”
The ACB said verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organization Kashmir revealed serious irregularities, including false measurements, billing of non-existent work components, execution of works on forest land without requisite permissions and release of payments against deficient and substandard works.
During the investigation, the agency allegedly found that officials, in conspiracy with a beneficiary contractor, facilitated fraudulent execution of works, prepared false records, inflated measurements and authorized release of government funds without proper justification.
The investigation further revealed alleged losses to the government exchequer on account of non-existent works, excess measurements, substandard execution and fraudulent claims. The ACB also alleged that fictitious entries relating to felling of trees were incorporated in official records to inflate bills and obtain undue financial benefits.
The charge-sheet has been filed against Mohammad Sultan Bhat, then Block Development Officer, Sogam/Lalpora; Er. Surinder Kumar Sharma, then Executive Engineer, REW Division Kupwara; Mohammad Shafi Bukhari, then Assistant Executive Engineer, REW Kupwara; Taimur Ahmad Khan, then Junior Engineer, REW Lalpora; Nisar Ahmad Khan, then Junior Engineer, REW Lalpora; Mohammad Saleem Dar, then Village Level Worker/Secretary Panchayat; and Waseem Mehmood Khan, beneficiary contractor.
The ACB said prosecution sanction had been obtained from the competent authority in respect of serving public servants before filing the charge-sheet.
All the accused were produced before the court and were admitted to bail upon furnishing personal bonds.
The accused have been charge-sheeted under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, along with relevant sections of the Ranbir Penal Code.
The court has fixed August 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing in the case. [KNT]
