SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Srinagar, has registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) into serious cases of corruption involving government officials and private entities, following detailed verifications and surprise checks.
In the first case, the ACB initiated legal proceedings after verification (SLK-12/2017) was conducted based on a complaint from the Intizamia Committee of Masjid Shareef, Gagribal Boulevard. The complaint alleged large-scale illegal construction by Iftikhar Sadiq, son of Rafiq Sadiq, a resident of Gagribal, who is accused of constructing multi-storey hostel buildings on nearly 12 kanals of custodian land in Gagribal, Srinagar.
The verification revealed a well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy involving officials of the then Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), the Town Planning Organisation, and the Custodian Department. According to the ACB, Sadiq managed to secure permission to construct five hostel structures, bypassing the Jammu and Kashmir Building By-Laws of 2011, which stipulate a minimum of 3 kanals of land per hostel for 50 students. While the initial permissions (NOCs) were granted for only three hostel structures, two more were subsequently cleared in gross violation of regulations.
The ACB said that the buildings constructed bore little resemblance to standard hostels and appeared more like resorts, indicating clear deviations from the approved site and structural plans. Officials from LAWDA and the Custodian Evacuee Property Department are suspected of abusing their positions and colluding with a private individual for personal financial gain.
Based on the findings, FIR No. 08/2025 has been registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and further investigation is underway.
In a separate and equally serious case, the ACB Police Station Srinagar registered another FIR following a joint surprise check (JSC No. 17/2020) concerning irregularities during the dredging of Hoker Sar Wetland at Narbal. The enquiry, which focused on professional misconduct and financial misappropriation, exposed serious lapses involving the Flood Spill Channel Division of Narbal and private contractor M/S Reach Dredging Limited.
The work, advertised under NIT No. 01 of 2018-19 dated July 7, 2018, was allotted to M/S Reach Dredging Ltd. by the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Kashmir for Rs. 20.55 crore. The contract prohibited the dumping of material within the wetland’s periphery. However, major works were executed using altered parameters that were not reflected in the official tender. The disposal of excavated material was never clarified, leading to environmental degradation of the wetland.
Further, the enquiry found that different transportation leads, ranging from 8 km to 18 km, were merged, enabling the contractor to claim undue payments for transportation of material that, in most cases, was not properly disposed of. This manipulation of specifications and quantities resulted in a financial loss of approximately Rs. 2.29 crore to the State Exchequer, excluding royalty charges and the environmental cost to Hokersar.
The officials involved include Siraj-Ud-Din Shah and Ghulam Ahmad Beigh, both then Executive Engineers of the Flood Spill Channel Division Narbal, and Irfan Ahmad Reshi, the then Assistant Executive Engineer of the same division. The trio is alleged to have colluded with the contractor to siphon off funds and compromise the project’s objectives.
Based on the evidence, the ACB has registered FIR No. 07/2025 under Section 5(1)(d) read with 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B of the RPC. Investigation has been set in motion in both cases.
The ACB has stated that further arrests and administrative action will follow based on the ongoing investigations.
