SRINAGAR: In one of the largest corruption cases in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) has filed a chargesheet against 108 accused in connection with large-scale embezzlement of government funds and illegal appointments in the Electric Division Sumbal.
The chargesheet has been submitted before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in FIR No. 25/2018 under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Those named in the chargesheet include 15 Executive Engineers, six Assistant Accounts Officers, one Accounts Assistant, six Head Assistants, four Senior Assistants—including the alleged kingpin Mushtaq Ahmad Malik of Aragam, Bandipora—four Junior Assistants and one Orderly, all posted in the Electric Division Sumbal. The case also names 25 officers and officials of JK Bank’s Sumbal Sonawari branch and 46 individuals who were allegedly appointed illegally as fake employees.
According to investigators, the case was registered after credible information revealed that the Drawing and Disbursing Officer, in collusion with departmental officials and bank staff, fraudulently withdrew crores of rupees from government accounts and facilitated illegal appointments. The investigation uncovered widespread diversion of public funds.
During the probe, crores of rupees were recovered from the alleged kingpin and deposited into the government treasury. Investigators also found that substantial sums had been transferred to multiple bank accounts of the accused, including savings accounts and term deposits, along with accrued interest.
The government has accorded sanction for prosecution against all accused, following which the chargesheet was filed for judicial determination.
