JAMMU, Apr 20: ACB J&K presented Charge-Sheet against then BDO Kupwara and four Others in Misappropriation Case. The case originated from a complaint received through the ACB grievance portal on 19.07.2021 from one Fayaz Ahmad R/o Halmatpora, District Kupwara, alleging embezzlement of funds meant for execution of developmental works under the said schemes by officials of Block Kupwara.
Investigation conducted by ACB revealed that the accused public servants, namely Abdul Majeed Ganie (then BDO Kupwara), Bashir Ahmad Mir (then Junior Assistant), and Sajad Ahmad Dar (then MISO/GRS), in active connivance with private beneficiaries Zakir Hussain Pir and Gowher Yaqoob Khan, entered into a criminal conspiracy and fraudulently siphoned off Government funds by manipulating official records and fabricating electronic data.
It was established that the accused persons generated and authenticated fraudulent Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs), thereby facilitating diversion of funds into unauthorized bank accounts, including those of relatives and associates. The investigation further uncovered instances of double drawal, fraudulent payments against non-existent works, and illegal routing of labour payments through job card holders, followed by misappropriation of the same.
During the course of investigation, it also came to light that official records pertaining to the works under probe were deliberately destroyed or withheld, and crucial electronic evidence, including Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs), was not produced, indicating an attempt to screen the offence.
The accused persons, by abuse of their official positions, caused wrongful loss to the State exchequer to the tune of ₹4,86,170/- and corresponding unlawful gain to themselves and their associates. Based on the evidence collected, offences punishable under Section 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, along with Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, and 120-B RPC, have been established.
Accordingly, upon finalisation of investigation, the charge-sheet in Case FIR No. 11/2021 has been presented before the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination against three accused public servants and two private beneficiaries.
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