Srinagar, July 6: While hearing the case, Justice Sanjay Dhar observed that while procedural irregularities may have occurred, Dr Qureshi’s decision to utilize Rs 16.45 lakh from the Hospital Development Fund during the 2008 Amarnath land agitation was made in response to a public health emergency.
The expenditure was later ratified by the Hospital Development Committee and local MLAs.
The Court noted that Dr Qureshi was neither the Drawing and Disbursing Officer nor responsible for maintaining cash books, and that mere lack of supervision did not amount to criminal conspiracy.
Departmental inquiries had also exonerated him, with only a warning issued. The bench held that continuing prosecution after departmental exoneration would amount to abuse of process.
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