ACB files charge sheet against former PHE officials in Rs 2.13 crore embezzlement case

Srinagar, June 25: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu & Kashmir has 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 over Rs 2.13 crore.

The charge sheet was filed before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against Bashir Ahmad, then Senior Assistant and Storekeeper, and Mukhtar Ahmad, then In-charge Executive Engineer of the PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora.

According to the ACB, the accused have been booked under Sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, and Sections 409 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).

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

The investigation revealed that substantial quantities of GI pipes, Union GI pipes, QCC pipes and TOR steel (TMT bars) were allegedly misappropriated. While the initial verification had estimated the loss at Rs 65.11 lakh, the subsequent investigation assessed the actual loss to the government at Rs 2,13,16,362.

ACB said the probe established that Bashir Ahmad 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. The investigation further found that mandatory supervision and verification of stores were not carried out, resulting in serious violations of provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Financial Code governing government stores.

Physical verification and reconciliation of records reportedly confirmed substantial shortages of store material, causing significant loss to the state exchequer.

According to the ACB, the accused officials, acting in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy and by abusing their official positions, dishonestly misappropriated government property, leading to a wrongful loss of more than Rs 2.13 crore to the government.

The accused were produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, who admitted them to bail after they furnished personal bail bonds. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for September 5, 2026.

The ACB reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in public institutions, stating that it would continue to take strict action against cases involving embezzlement, misappropriation and misuse of public funds and assets.