JAMMU, Sep 02: The Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu, Hag Nawaz Zargar, has ordered framing of charges against former Naib Tehsildar Sher Singh and his family members for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
The case, registered vide FIR No. 11/2014 by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, revealed that Sher Singh, who began his career as a Patwari in 1987, had accumulated immovable and movable assets worth over Rs 1.87 crore-356% more than his legal income.
The assets include palatial houses in Reasi, Katra and Jammu, commercial buildings in Rehari, and large tracts of land in Katra and Reasi, many of them acquired through benami transactions in the names of his wife, brother-in-law and in-laws.
During proceedings, Advocate S.K. Bhat and Surekha Bhat, appearing for Sher Singh, argued that several properties were family gifts. Similarly, Advocate A.P. Singh, representing co-accused Kanta Kumari and Amar Chand, contended that the prosecution had ignored crucial financial details.
Opposing them, APP M.A. Almansoor, appearing for UT of J&K said that the ACB probe had conclusively exposed the trail of disproportionate assets and benami deals. Rejecting the defence’s submissions, the court held that even grave suspicion at this stage was sufficient to proceed.
It observed that Sher Singh and his family had prima facie amassed illegal wealth far beyond lawful income.
Proceedings against deceased accused Dina Nath and Shivo Devi were abated. However, charges under Section 5(1)(e) read with 5(2) of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and Sections 109 & 120-B RPC were ordered to be framed against Sher Singh, his wife Kanta Kumari, and brother-in-law Amar Chand.
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