Jammu, Nov 30: The CBI today filed charge sheet against a Special Secretary of Government of J&K posted in Agriculture & Production Department; a Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO) and a private person, in a bribery case, before the Special Judge Anti Corruption Jammu Bala Jyoti.
The case was registered on 06.04.2023 against Sarbjit Singh, Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu and unknown others, on the basis of complaint received from Satvir Singh Raina, Chief Horticulture Officer (attached with Directorate of Agriculture, Govt of J&K, Jammu).
It was alleged that the accused Sarbjit Singh, was demanding bribe of Rs.10 lacs from the complainant, for his posting and to resolve his departmental issues including promotion.
During verification, the allegations were found to be genuine. On 07.04.2023, a trap was laid by CBI and the Sarbjit Singh was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs.10 lacs from the complainant, on behalf of accused Mohd. Farooq Dar, Special Secretary, Agriculture & Production Department, Govt. of J&K.
It was revealed that the bribe money was to be handed over to the Special Secretary through a private person Gohar Ahmed Dar. During further trap proceedings, accused Gohar Ahmed Dar (tout / middleman) was caught red-handed while taking over the bribe money from the accused Sarbjit Singh.
Both the accused were arrested as per procedure established by law. Searches were conducted at the residential premises of both the accused and at the residence of Mohd. Farooq Dar. During the searches, cash of Rs.3.5 lacs and other documents including related to movable / immovable property of accused were recovered.
During investigation with the help of technical tools and forensic analysis of digital data, the entire criminal conspiracy hatched by the accused persons was unearthed. Investigation revealed that Gohar Ahmed Dar, Supplier / Contractor of Agriculture & Production Department, Govt. of J&K acts as a middleman for collection of bribe. Mohd.
Farooq Dar entered into criminal conspiracy with accused Gohar Ahmed Dar and Sarbjit Singh for demanding bribe from the complainant for his transfer and to resolve his departmental issues.
Investigation revealed that official information pertaining to transfer / posting of complainant was being passed on by the accused Mohd. Farooq Dar, Special Secretary to the accused Gohar Ahmed Dar (middleman) who further passed on the same to accused Sarbjit Singh, Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu.
In pursuance to criminal conspiracy, Sarbjit Singh demanded and accepted bribe from the complainant and handed over to the accused Gohar Ahmed Dar who was to further hand over the same to accused Mohd. Farooq Dar. In pursuance to criminal conspiracy, accused Mohd.
Farooq Dar initiated the proposal for transfer of the complainant and recommended his name initially for CHO, Doda and later for CHO, Rajouri, in gross disregard of the recommendation of inquiry officer (which was approved by the Additional Chief Secretary, according to which the complainant could not have been posted to any sensitive post.
On conclusion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed today against Mohd. Farooq Dar, Special Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Govt. of J&K; Sarbjit Singh, Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu and Gohar Ahmed Dar, Private Person under section 120-B IPC r/w section 7 of PC Act 1988 and substantive offences thereof, before the Special Judge, Anti Corruption, Jammu.
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