Srinagar, Oct 23, KDC: The Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Pulwama, Dr. Noor Mohammad Mir, has convicted Sonaullah Wani, then serving as Junior Engineer in the Rural Development Department, in a long-pending corruption case.
The case was registered under FIR No. 24/2000 of Police Station Vigilance Organization Kashmir (now ACB) for offences under Sections 420, 467, 471 RPC read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said in a statement.
According to the ACB, investigation revealed that the accused had forged his Matriculation certificate and service book by fraudulently altering his date of birth from June 8, 1940, to June 8, 1945, thereby overstaying in government service for 21 months and drawing undue salary amounting to ₹2,62,760, causing equivalent loss to the state exchequer.
Expert examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory, Srinagar, confirmed forgery of signatures and seals, while verification from the J&K Board of School Education established his actual date of birth.
After a full trial, the Court held that the ACB had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt through convincing documentary, expert, and oral evidence. Consequently, the accused was sentenced to undergo seven years of simple imprisonment and fined ₹3,52,760, with orders for his lodgement at Central Jail Srinagar.
“This conviction stands as a testament to the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s unwavering commitment to fighting corruption and promoting integrity in public administration,” the ACB statement said, reiterating its resolve to bring to justice all those who misuse public office for personal gain. (KDC)
