Srinagar, 25 June (H.S.): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday filed a charge-sheet against two retired officials of the erstwhile PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora, for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement and misappropriation of government store material worth ₹2.13 crore.

According to an ACB statement, the charge-sheet was presented before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, then Senior Assistant/Storekeeper, and Mukhtar Ahmad Mir, then In-charge Executive Engineer, PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora.

The accused have been booked under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, along with Sections 409 and 120-B RPC, for criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

The case originated from source information alleging large-scale embezzlement of government store material procured during the financial year 2011-12. An open verification conducted by the then Vigilance Organization Kashmir revealed shortages and irregularities in government stores, prompting registration of the case and a detailed investigation.

The investigation found that substantial quantities of GI Pipes, Union GI Pipes, QCC Pipes and TOR Steel (TMT Bars) had been dishonestly misappropriated. While the initial verification had estimated the loss at ₹65.11 lakh, the detailed investigation established the actual loss to the government exchequer at ₹2,13,16,362.

The ACB further revealed that Bashir Ahmad Sheikh continued to function as Storekeeper and retained control of the divisional stores even after his retirement, allegedly with the knowledge and permission of Mukhtar Ahmad Mir. The investigation also uncovered serious violations of the Jammu and Kashmir Financial Code governing government stores, including failure to conduct mandatory physical verification and proper supervision.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar