Multi-crore flood relief scam unearthed in J&K; CBI registers case against Revenue officials, others

Srinagar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Srinagar, has uncovered a new scam involving fraudulent disbursal of post-2014 flood relief funds in Kashmir. The agency has formally registered FIR No. 04/2025 against officials from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Srinagar, Revenue staff, and private individuals for orchestrating what appears to be a well-planned conspiracy to siphon off crores of rupees meant for flood-affected shopkeepers.

The case, registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI, invokes multiple provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Svt. 2006 and 1988, amended through the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019), along with sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (Svt. 1989), now aligned with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 5(1)(d), 5(2), 13(1)(a), 13(2), 420, 120-B read with 318 BNS.

According to investigative details, the CBI launched the probe following discreet verification, which revealed a fraudulent mechanism used to divert government compensation. The accused allegedly used fake documents and fabricated trader associations to falsely claim relief funds.

The heart of the fraud centers around two fictitious entities — Al-Falah Shopkeepers Association and Flood Affected Coordination Committee Srinagar — which submitted manipulated lists of 1,503 alleged non-insured flood-affected shopkeepers from Tehsil Central Shalteng. These lists, notably devoid of required affidavits and verification protocols, were accepted and processed in violation of established DC Office guidelines.

It has emerged that officials from the Accounts Section of the DC Office Srinagar and subordinate tehsil offices colluded with two local brokers — Tariq Ahmad and Tariq Ahmad — to prepare and submit these forged applications. Many of the supposed claimants listed belonged to the same households, underscoring the depth of collusion and lack of scrutiny during the verification process.

Adding a legal layer to the scam, a group of 401 traders from Tehsil North Srinagar had earlier approached the J&K High Court seeking relief. Inspired by the court’s directions, 24 individuals from the fictitious 1503 list also filed a writ petition (WP No. 786/2022), followed later by the rest in WP No. 86/2024. Courts, unaware of the manipulation, directed the authorities to consider their claims, enabling the release of public funds on the basis of forged field reports and fabricated lists.

Officials in the DC Office, taking advantage of the court orders, recommended disbursal of Rs 13.79 crore, followed by an additional Rs 12 lakh released for the original 24 petitioners. Each of the 1,503 claimants allegedly received Rs 50,000 from the exchequer under false pretenses.

In a startling revelation, Advocate Zahoor, who represented the petitioners, had eight close family members among the listed beneficiaries, pointing to his suspected complicity in the broader conspiracy.

The scam has so far led to a confirmed misappropriation of Rs 7.51 crore, but investigators believe the final figure could be higher as the inquiry progresses.

The CBI has launched an intensive investigation to trace every link in the chain—from government officials and legal facilitators to fake claimants and brokers—who played a role in the meticulously planned embezzlement. The case underscores systemic corruption in post-disaster fund management and raises serious questions about the checks and balances within the administrative framework of the Kashmir valley. (KNT)