SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case (FIR No 09/2024 PS ACB Jammu) under section 13(1)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and sections 120-B and 409 of the Indian Penal Code against Manju Sharma, a former Junior Assistant, along with other officers and officials previously posted at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Jammu, an ACB spokesman said.
This action follows an in-depth verification process conducted by the Bureau to investigate allegations of irregularities within the Motor Vehicle Department concerning the collection and deposition of passenger tax.
The probe revealed that Manju Sharma, who was assigned to the Accounts Section at the RTO in Jammu, was responsible for collecting passenger tax from owners of commercial passenger vehicles during the period in question. It has come to light that she engaged in dishonest practices by underreporting the actual amounts received from vehicle owners/operators. The official records only reflected a fraction of the passenger tax collected, with the remainder being misappropriated by Sharma. Only the amounts shown in the counterfoils of Government Receipts (GRs) were deposited in the Government Treasury, while the excess sums were allegedly pocketed by her.
Moreover, it was found that the manual Cash Book/Day Book and vehicle-wise details of passenger tax collection and deposition were not maintained properly. This lapse facilitated the embezzlement of passenger tax dues.
During the verification process, it emerged that more than 10 lakhs had been misappropriated, based on a random cross-check of some copies of GRs and the corresponding owner’s copies. The actual amount could be significantly higher, as further investigation into other commercial passenger vehicles in Jammu is expected to reveal additional discrepancies. The role of other officers and officials at the RTO in aiding or facilitating the misappropriation of funds during this period is also under scrutiny.
The investigation indicates that Manju Sharma, in criminal conspiracy with other RTO employees, misappropriated substantial sums of passenger tax collected from various vehicle owners/operators. This fraudulent activity has prompted the ACB to take stern action, with further inquiries likely to uncover the full extent of the embezzlement and the involvement of additional individuals.
