ACB registers FIR against JE; Rs 3.3 cr transactions in 6 accounts found

Srinagar: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) today registered an FIR against a Junior Engineer working with Housing Board, Bemina, Srinagar on the allegations that huge suspicious transactions have been made through his various bank accounts by the contractors/beneficiaries pertaining to the various works of the department.

“Earlier, a verification was conducted into the same allegations against him pertaining to huge transactions in his bank accounts which are not from his legal earnings. During the course of verification, it was revealed that Shri Tariq Ahmad, JE Housing Board holds various accounts in different branches of J&K Bank. As per the salary statement provided by the Housing Board, from 1st January 2018 to 30th September, 2020, the accused JE has received a net payable amount of salary of Rs. 10,08,892, which stands deposited in his salary account(s). However, it was found that in the same period, an amount of approximately Rs. 3 Crore 30 lacs have been deposited in six accounts of said JE through various transactions, which is disproportionate to his income (approx 3000%)”, ACB said today.

The investigating agency further said that it was also revealed that the said amount had been deposited in his account through various transactions made by some contractors which have been executing works of the Housing Board, where the said JE is posted, thereby clearly indicating that the said JE has been receiving huge amounts as illegal gratification/consideration with respect to execution of works from these contractors.

“By acting in the aforesaid manner, Shri Tariq Ahmad, as JE Housing Board, Bemina, Srinagar has abused his official position and has obtained undue pecuniary advantage through illegal gratification from various contractors by way of various deposits accumulated in his bank accounts. This act also tantamount to raising of disproportionate assets”, the agency further said.

The omissions and commissions on the part of Tariq Ahmad, JE Housing Board Bemina Srinagar constitute the offence of criminal misconduct punishable U/S 5(1)(d), (e) r/w 5(2) P.C Act, Svt. 2006. Accordingly Case FIR No. 18/2020 has been registered in P/S ACB, Srinagar and further investigation was taken up. During course of investigation search warrants have been obtained from the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar and pursuant to that, today afternoon, the team of ACB Srinagar Kashmir conducted raids at the residential house of accused in Pulwama district, where incriminating material having bearing on the investigation of the case has been found and was subsequently seized.

Further investigation is on.