SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Baramulla in a case involving the misappropriation of Rs 26.87 lakh by officials posted in the Education Zone Kunzer during 2007 to 2010.
The case was initiated following a special audit of the Zonal Education Officer Kunzer’s office for the period April 2007 to March 2012. The audit, conducted by officers from the office of the Deputy Director, Audit and Inspections, Kashmir, revealed financial irregularities. The audit report was forwarded by the Chief Education Officer Baramulla to the Commissioner of Vigilance for further action.
Subsequently, the ACB conducted verification and uncovered misappropriation of government funds through various fraudulent means. These included the use of fictitious bills, double drawals, and fake vouchers. The funds were misappropriated under various budgetary heads by the then In-charge ZEO Kunzer and other officials.
Based on these findings, FIR No. 1/2015 was registered at Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir under relevant sections of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act and the Ranbir Penal Code. The investigation revealed that the accused public servants, acting in concert, misused their official positions to commit fraud and embezzle funds.
The ACB found that Rs 11.15 lakh was misappropriated by drawing excess amounts from GPF and SLI accounts, and over Rs 8.5 lakh was siphoned through double drawal of salaries. Further irregularities included the use of fictitious vouchers worth Rs 4.92 lakh, and unauthorised spending on mobile handsets, mobile bills, Red Cross and building funds, travel allowances, and discrepancies in account balances.
The accused, all now retired, include Abdul Hamid, former In-charge ZEO Kunzer; Noor Mohammad Parrey, also former In-charge ZEO Kunzer; Hilal Ahmad Mir, then Senior Assistant; Nazir Ahmad Rather, then Head Teacher of Government Middle School Gonipora; and Mohammad Yousuf Wani, then Head Teacher of Government Middle School Sagri Batpora.
All five were presented before the court in custody and later released on personal bail bonds. The court has fixed the next hearing of the case for August 30, 2025.
The ACB said the investigation confirmed that the accused public servants conspired to misuse their authority and divert public funds for personal gain, thereby causing financial loss to the state exchequer.
