SRINAGAR: More than two decades after a financial scandal rocked the Government Woollen Mills in Bemina, Srinagar, a city court has convicted Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Nabi Bhat, resident of Bhagi Sunder Payeen, Chattabal, for criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery in a case involving large-scale misappropriation of government property and funds.
The Court of the City Judge (Judicial Magistrate 1st Class), Srinagar, pronounced its judgment in the long-pending case registered under FIR No. 66/2003 at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir. The court found Bhat guilty under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 420 (cheating), and 468 (forgery) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
According to Crime Branch Kashmir, the case stemmed from a written complaint submitted by the Secretary of J&K Industries Ltd., which alleged irregularities discovered during a stock verification exercise at the Government Woollen Mills Bemina. The inquiry, covering the period from 1995–96 to 2001–03, revealed significant discrepancies in inventory records, including short accounts, delayed ledger entries, and movement of goods through unauthorised and fraudulent invoices.
Investigators concluded that Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, an employee at the time, had played a central role in misappropriating woollen mill stock valued in lakhs of rupees through deceitful practices. His actions, authorities said, caused substantial financial losses to the state exchequer while providing him with undue personal gain.
After the investigation concluded, the Crime Branch filed a chargesheet before the court on January 24, 2008. Following a prolonged trial, the court held Bhat guilty on all counts.
As per the sentencing order, Bhat has been awarded two years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 409 RPC. He has also been sentenced to an additional two years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 420 RPC, and another two years with the same fine under Section 468 RPC. The court ordered that all sentences will run concurrently. In the event of default in payment of fines, Bhat will face an additional six months of simple imprisonment.
