SRINAGAR: On the basis of a verification conducted by Anti Corruption Bureau regarding the allegations of huge expenditure incurred in the name of flood protection on both sides of river Chenab at Reasi, despite that the areas had suffered a huge loss to life and property due to flash floods erupted in September 2014 and February 2015, revealed that 21 flood protection works were executed by the then Executive Engineer, Mahore Irrigation Division Dharmari, Reasi on both sides of river Chenab during the year 2010-11 to 2014-15.
The 14 works were randomly checked wherein a substantial loss to the state exchequer stands found in the 06 works so executed on the left bank of river Chenab at Chumbia during the year 2010-11 to 2011-12.
Verification further revealed that the flood protection work was allotted to the contractor for an amount of Rs. 23.74 lakh by then Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle, Udhampur. The work was started on 04-12-2010 and completed on 22-06-2011 and payment of Rs. 23,74,962/- stands made to the contractors. However, at the same time, two more works have been shown to be executed departmentally on the said RD where the contractor had already under taken the work after allotment of contract which was technically not justified. The concerned officer at the site could not explain their position for the said works which was shown as technically sanctioned by the then XEN, Mahore Irrigation Division, Dharmari. The approval letter of this work was forged to cover up the execution of works departmentally.
Verification has further revealed that the payments/expenditure of Rs. 7,38,626/- and Rs. 3,34,894/- shown to be executed/incurred departmentally by the concerned officers on the above said two works has in fact been embezzled/misappropriated by way of fabrication/forging of record in league with each other as well as contractor which ultimately caused wrongful gain to themselves and corresponding loss to the state exchequer.
As such Case FIR No. 04/2020 P/S ACB Udhampur has been registered u/s 5 (1) (c)(d) read with Section 5 (2) J&K PC Act. Svt 2006 and Section 120-B, 409,420,467,468 & 471 RPC on the prima facie establishment of offences against Bansi Lal Bhardwaj the then Executive Engineer, Virender Kumar Khajuria the then AEE and Ravi Kant Khajuria the then JE Mahore Irrigation Division Dharmari, Reasi
After registration case, searches were conducted. During search incriminating material, documents were seized as evidence and scrutiny of the record is being conducted. Further investigation of the case is going on.
