The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Srinagar has filed a Prosecution Complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against four persons in connection with alleged misappropriation of ₹2.67 crore meant for road restoration works in Shopian.
An ED spokesperson said the complaint has been filed before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption CBI Cases, Srinagar against Hakeem Imtiyaz, then Junior Engineer R&B Shopian; Niamat Ali Bhat, a private contractor; Shahnawaz Shafi, then Circle Deployment Head Airtel J&K; and Malik Mohsin Shah, then employee of Axis Bank Shopian. The court took cognizance of the complaint on September 9.
The case stems from an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Anantnag under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC sections for allegedly siphoning funds paid by Airtel and Reliance Jio to the R&B Department for road damages caused during laying of telecom cables in Shopian and Handwara.
ED investigation revealed that Imtiyaz, in conspiracy with others, fraudulently opened a bank account in the name of “Assistant Engineer, PW (R&B) Division, Shopian” to divert ₹2.67 crore and subsequently launder the money. Part of the proceeds was allegedly used by Niamat Ali Bhat to acquire assets.
Earlier, the agency had attached a Maruti Wagon R and immovable assets including one kanal and three marlas of land with a two-storey house at Chattabal, Srinagar worth ₹1.56 crore belonging to Bhat.
The ED said further investigation in the case is underway.
