Srinagar, Jun 24 : The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet against six public servants and a beneficiary contractor for alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for developmental works in Block Lolab/Lalpora, Kupwara district.
The charge-sheet was filed before the court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in connection with FIR No. 02/2020 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla.
The case originated from a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in developmental works executed through the Rural Development Department in the block. Verification conducted by the then Vigilance Organization Kashmir (now ACB) revealed serious irregularities in the execution of works, including “Construction of Sarband at Margi Diver (Kariwan) Phase-I” and “Construction of Fisheries Pond at Diver-B” .
The investigation found that the accused public servants, in criminal conspiracy with the contractor, abused their official positions by facilitating fraudulent execution of works, preparing false records, inflating measurements, and authorising unauthorised release of government funds. The probe revealed loss to the government exchequer through non-existent works, excess measurements, substandard execution, and fraudulent claims.
Fictitious entries relating to felling of trees were also found to have been incorporated in official records to inflate bills.
The charge-sheet names Mohd Sultan Bhat, then Block Development Officer, Sogam/Lalpora; Er Surinder Kumar Sharma, then Executive Engineer, REW Division Kupwara; Mohd Shafi Bukhari, then Assistant Executive Engineer, REW Kupwara; Taimur Ahmad Khan and Nisar Ahmad Khan, both then Junior Engineers, REW Lalpora; Mohd Saleem Dar, then Village Level Worker/Secretary Panchayat; and Waseem Mehmood Khan, the beneficiary contractor .
Upon receipt of requisite prosecution sanction from the competent authority, the ACB filed the charge-sheet. All accused were produced before the court and admitted to bail upon furnishing personal bonds.
The accused have been charge-sheeted under Section 5(1)(c) read with Section 5(1)(d) and Section 5(2) of the Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, along with other relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The court has fixed August 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing.
The ACB reiterated its commitment to conducting thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigations into corruption cases. (KNS)
