JAMMU, May 31, KDC: The Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court, Jammu has convicted and sentenced all five accused in the long-pending case related to the purchase of sub-standard microscopes at exorbitant rates by the School Education Department in Jammu during 2004–05.
The case, registered under FIR No. 10/2005 at Police Station Vigilance Organization Jammu (now ACB), pertained to the fraudulent procurement of dissection microscopes that were not compliant with the required specifications for examining mineral properties. The investigation revealed that a criminal conspiracy was hatched between public officials and a private supplier to manipulate the tendering process and facilitate the supply of inferior quality equipment, resulting in a substantial loss to the state exchequer.
The court found that the accused public servants abused their official positions by deliberately approving the wrong type of microscope in gross violation of the tender conditions, leading to bulk purchases that financially benefitted the supplier.
The convicted individuals include Jatinder Kumar, then Accounts Officer, Directorate of School Education, Jammu, Rameshwar Kumar Sharma, then Lecturer Geology, SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu (Expert), Balwan Singh, then Lecturer Geology, SIE Jammu (Expert), Balbir Singh Jamwal, then Chief Education Officer, Udhampur and Jaswinder Singh Manocha, Proprietor of M/s Cosmopolitan Traders, Jammu
All five were convicted under Sections 5(1)(d) read with 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) for criminal conspiracy.
The court sentenced the convicts to two years of simple imprisonment for the corruption offences and one year of simple imprisonment for conspiracy. Both sentences will run concurrently.
In addition to imprisonment, a fine of ₹25,000 each was imposed on the four public servants. The supplier, Jaswinder Singh Manocha, was fined ₹1,00,000. In case of default in payment of the fine, the accused will undergo an additional three months of simple imprisonment.
The judgment has been hailed as a stern message against corruption and abuse of office, particularly in the education sector.
Further legal proceedings, if any, are awaited as per the statutory rights of the convicts. (KDC)
