SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a fresh departmental inquiry against Junior Engineer Tasaduq Reyaz in connection with a corruption case registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Baramulla, rejecting an earlier inquiry report as lacking merit.
The Public Works (R&B) Department issued Government Order No. 342-PW(R&B) of 2026 on September 30, sanctioning regular departmental action against Reyaz, who was then posted as a Junior Engineer in the Block Development Office, Hardaboora.
Reyaz was arrested by the ACB in connection with FIR No. 08/2022 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. He was subsequently placed under suspension by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (DRD&PR).
The General Administration Department had sanctioned prosecution against Reyaz through Government Order No. 30-JK-GAD(Vig) of 2023 dated June 23, 2023, and referred the matter to the DRD&PR for consequential action under the J&K Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
The DRD&PR subsequently served him a memorandum containing the articles of charge and statement of imputations. His statement of defence was examined by the department but was not found satisfactory.
An earlier inquiry was conducted by the Assistant Commissioner (Development), Baramulla, who was appointed Inquiry Officer through Government Order No. 108-JK(RD&PR) of 2025 dated March 26, 2025. The officer submitted his report on April 30, 2025.
The Public Works Department, however, said the report did not meet the required standard and rejected its findings and recommendations after consideration by the competent disciplinary authority.
The government has now appointed Er. Shuja Ahmad Malik, In-charge Superintending Engineer, PMGSY, Baramulla, as the new Inquiry Officer. Er. Faizan Jameel, In-charge Assistant Executive Engineer (Technical Officer) in the office of the Superintending Engineer, PMGSY, Baramulla, has been appointed Presenting Officer.
The fresh inquiry will adopt the memorandum, articles of charge and statement of imputations already served on Reyaz by the DRD&PR.
The Inquiry Officer has been directed to submit a report with clear recommendations within 21 days of issuance of the order, with the findings restricted to the mandate prescribed under Central Vigilance Commission guidelines.
The order also records the department’s finding that the official was guilty of gross misconduct and had failed to maintain absolute integrity, while noting that the power to conduct regular departmental proceedings rests with the appointing or disciplinary authority.
The DRD&PR had earlier recommended imposition of a penalty under Rule 30 of the J&K Civil Services (CCA) Rules, 1956 and advised that Reyaz should not be assigned any sensitive post involving substantial financial transactions or responsibilities having a direct bearing on administrative integrity and public confidence.
