Srinagar, June 24 (KDC): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu and Kashmir has filed a charge-sheet against seven accused, including a former Block Development Officer (BDO), an Executive Engineer and other officials, in an alleged government funds embezzlement case linked to developmental works in Block Lolab/Lalpora of Kupwara district.
According to a statement issued by the ACB, the charge-sheet was filed before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in FIR No. 02/2020 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla. The accused include six public servants and one beneficiary contractor.
The agency said the case originated from a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in developmental works executed through the Rural Development Department in Block Lolab/Lalpora. During verification conducted by the then Vigilance Organization Kashmir, now the Anti-Corruption Bureau, serious irregularities were found in the execution of works titled “Construction of Sarband at Margi Diver (Kariwan) Phase-I” and “Construction of Fisheries Pond at Diver-B”.
The investigation revealed alleged false measurements, billing of non-existent work components, execution of works on forest land without requisite permissions and release of payments for deficient and substandard works. Following the findings, FIR No. 02/2020 was registered and a detailed investigation was launched.
As per the ACB statement, the investigation established that the accused public servants, in conspiracy with the beneficiary contractor, allegedly abused their official positions by facilitating fraudulent execution of works, preparing false records, inflating measurements and authorising the release of government funds. The probe also found alleged losses to the government exchequer due to non-existent works, excess measurements, substandard execution and fraudulent claims.
The agency further stated that fictitious entries relating to the felling of trees were allegedly incorporated into official records to inflate bills and secure undue pecuniary benefits.
The charge-sheet has been filed against Mohd. Sultan Bhat, then BDO Sogam/Lalpora; Er. Surinder Kumar Sharma, then Executive Engineer, REW Division Kupwara; Mohd. Shafi Bukhari, then Assistant Executive Engineer, REW Kupwara; Taimur Ahmad Khan, then Junior Engineer, REW Lalpora; Nisar Ahmad Khan, then Junior Engineer, REW Lalpora; Mohd. Saleem Dar, then Village Level Worker and Secretary Panchayat; and Waseem Mehmood Khan, beneficiary contractor.
The ACB said prosecution sanction was obtained from the competent authority in respect of the serving public servants before the filing of the charge-sheet. All accused were produced before the court and were admitted to bail after furnishing personal bonds to the satisfaction of the court.
They have been charge-sheeted under Section 5(1)(c) read with Section 5(1)(d) and Section 5(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, along with other relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code.
The court has fixed August 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing in the case, the ACB statement said. (KDC)
