SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has appointed Anil Koul, JKAS, Secretary in the Housing and Urban Development Department, as the inquiry officer to investigate allegations of corruption against the incumbent Deputy Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
An order issued by Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing & Urban Development Department, Prashant Goyal, states, “In terms of Section 34 of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, the sanction is hereby accorded to the appointment of Anil Koul, JKAS, Secretary in the Housing and Urban Development Department, as the Inquiry Officer to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Parvez Qadri, Deputy Mayor, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, based on the inputs/reports received from Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K Srinagar.”
The order further emphasises that “the principles of natural justice shall be adhered to during the process of inquiry.”
Pertinent to mention, The Crime Branch of Kashmir had filed a charge sheet against three individuals, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) deputy mayor, Parvaiz Qadri in 2013. The case involves fake appointments in the rural development department.
The economic offence wing of the Crime Branch-Kashmir presented the challan, citing violations of sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against the accused. Alongside Parvaiz Qadri, the other two suspects are Ghulam Mohi Ud Din from Pulwama and Bashir Ahmad Bhat from Tailbal Srinagar.
The investigation was initiated following a written complaint received from the office of the director of rural development, Kashmir, and a complaint from a woman who claimed that appointment orders were obtained through illicit means in exchange for monetary consideration. These appointment orders, seemingly issued by the directorate of rural development, Kashmir, and the commissioner secretary of health, Kashmir, were later revealed to be counterfeit.
