SRINAGAR: The repatriation of three Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to the Home Department has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to combating corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti criticised the move, accusing the government of targeting officials who expose corruption.
In a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti said: “The removal of Abdul Wahid and his colleagues from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) highlights the risks faced by officials who challenge corruption. It exposes the nexus between the corrupt and the most powerful. This action of punishing the whistleblower has revealed the government’s true intentions behind using various agencies, including ACB, to raid properties of Kashmiris under the guise of corruption investigations. This raises questions about the government’s commitment to justice and accountability.”
The removal of Abdul Wahid & his colleagues from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) highlights the risks faced by officials who challenge corruption. It exposes nexus between the corrupt &most powerful. This action of punishing the whistleblower has revealed the government's true… pic.twitter.com/Ua3OHQMvpS
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 17, 2025
The repatriation comes amid an ongoing investigation by the ACB into corruption allegations linked to the Srinagar Smart City Limited project. The probe, led by then SSP ACB Waheed Ahmad Shah, had uncovered significant irregularities. Executive Engineer Zahoor Dar and Chief Financial Officer Sajid Yousuf Bhat of Srinagar Smart City Limited were booked on corruption charges, including allegations of substandard work under the Smart City initiative and amassing wealth disproportionate to their income.
On Thursday, the government repatriated three JKPS officers from the ACB to the Home Department and ordered the transfer of several other officers.
According to a government order, the three SPs — Abdul Wahid Shah (JKPS), Mohammad Rashid (JKPS), and Rakesh Kumar (JKPS) — have been repatriated from the ACB.
In their place, Deep Singh Jamwal (JKPS), Manzoor Ahmad Mir (JKPS), and Mamta Sharma (JKPS) have been posted to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K, from the Home Department with immediate effect.
Additionally, Javid Hussain Bhat (JKPS), Mehmood Ahmad (JKPS), and Abdul Qayoom (JKPS) have been posted to the ACB on a deputation basis.
Mohammad Saleem Bhat, JKPS, previously posted as Dy SP in the ACB, will continue in the Bureau as Additional Superintendent of Police, ACB, on deputation basis following his promotion as Superintendent of Police.
The order further reads that Dr Ashok Sharma, JKPS, Superintendent of Police, who was under orders of transfer to CID, has been relieved from the ACB, JK, with immediate effect.
