SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR against Mohd Shafi Rather, also known as Kanda, a resident of Wanigam Bala, Pattan in Baramulla district. Rather, who was formerly employed as a Class IV worker (Kandaman) in the office of the Assistant Director of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (CAPD) in Baramulla, is accused of possessing assets worth crores of rupees, which are disproportionate to his known sources of income.
A spokesperson in a statement said that ACB conducted a thorough verification of allegations that Rather had accumulated significant assets through corrupt practices. “The investigation revealed that Rather, who initially worked as a commission agent in a fair price shop, was later appointed as a Class IV employee in CAPD Baramulla. Throughout his tenure, he allegedly colluded with other officials to amass substantial assets, including both movable and immovable properties, and made significant investments and expenditures.”
“The verification uncovered various properties owned by Rather, including under-construction houses, land in multiple locations, and investments in land worth several crores of rupees. These assets include a double-storey house in Wanigam Bala worth over Rs. 40 lakhs, land investments in Jammu and Baramulla, and a substantial investment in a 107-kanal land purchase in Tehsil Pattan,” it reads.
In addition to these properties, the investigation also revealed further assets, including land in Srinagar and Tangmarg, a house in Umerabad, and other movable properties such as life insurance policies, PPF investments, and valuable household items. “The probe indicated that Rather acquired these assets without proper permission from the competent authority, as required by law. Consequently, provisions of the J&K Public Men and Public Servants (Declaration of Assets & Other Provisions) Act, 1983, were invoked against him. Furthermore, it was found that some of the assets were purchased jointly with other officials, who are now booked under section 109 RPC for abetment.
Following the culmination of the probe, FIR was registered against Rather under various sections of the JK Prevention of Corruption Act and the JK Public Men and Public Servants (Declaration of Assets & Other Provisions) Act.
“Search warrants were obtained from the Anti-Corruption Court in Baramulla, leading to simultaneous searches at eight locations in Pattan, Baramulla, and Bhatindi, Jammu. During these searches, various incriminating documents, including those related to property ownership, vehicle registration, and investments, were recovered and seized.”
