SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday filed a chargesheet against a former Executive Engineer and a former Storekeeper of the then PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora, for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement and misappropriation of government store material worth more than Rs 2.13 crore.
According to an ACB statement, the chargesheet was filed before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, then Senior Assistant/Storekeeper, and Mukhtar Ahmad Mir, then In-charge Executive Engineer, PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora.
The accused have been booked under Sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d), read with Section 5(2), of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, besides Sections 409 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The ACB said the case originated from source information alleging large-scale embezzlement of government store material procured by the PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora, during the 2011-12 financial year.
It said an open verification conducted by the then Vigilance Organisation Kashmir revealed shortages and deficiencies in store material, following which a formal case was registered and a detailed investigation was launched.
The investigation revealed that the accused, while entrusted with the custody, management and supervision of government stores, entered into a criminal conspiracy and allegedly misappropriated substantial quantities of GI pipes, Union GI pipes, QCC pipes and TOR steel (TMT bars).
According to the ACB, while the initial verification had assessed the loss at Rs 65.11 lakh, the investigation established the actual loss to the government at Rs 2,13,16,362.
The probe further found that Bashir Ahmad Sheikh continued to function as Storekeeper and retained control of the divisional stores even after his retirement with the knowledge and permission of Mukhtar Ahmad Mir, who allegedly failed to ensure proper supervision and mandatory verification of the stores.
The agency said the investigation also uncovered serious violations of the Jammu and Kashmir Financial Code governing government stores, while physical verification and record reconciliation established substantial shortages of store material, resulting in a significant loss to the state exchequer.
The ACB said the accused abused their official positions and, in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy, dishonestly misappropriated government property, causing a wrongful loss of Rs 2.13 crore to the state exchequer.
Both accused were produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, who admitted them to bail after they furnished personal bonds. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for September 5, 2026. (KNO)
