Did the J&K Crime Branch Really File a Charge Sheet Against 108 Individuals for Embezzling Government Funds?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 108 individuals are charged with embezzlement.
- Involvement of senior officials from various departments.
- Significant recovery of embezzled funds.
- Legal proceedings initiated under Prevention of Corruption Act.
- Case highlights the need for greater accountability.
Srinagar, Jan 2 (NationPress) The J&K Crime Branch announced on Friday the submission of a charge sheet against 108 individuals involved in a case of government fund embezzlement.
A statement from Crime Branch Kashmir noted, “The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Srinagar has presented the charge sheet in FIR No. 25/2018 under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act to the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla.”
This charge sheet implicates 108 accused in a significant case tied to the embezzlement of government funds and illegal appointments within the Electric Division Sumbal.
The list of accused includes 15 Executive Engineers, six Assistant Accounts Officers, one Accounts Assistant, six Head Assistants, four Senior Assistants (including the alleged mastermind Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, son of Sonaullah Malik, a resident of Aragam, Bandipora), four Junior Assistants, and one Orderly, all previously assigned to the Electric Division Sumbal.
The charge sheet also identifies 25 officers and officials from the J&K Bank, Branch Sumbal Sonawari, along with 46 fraudulent employees who were unlawfully appointed.
The case was initiated following reliable information that the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), in collusion with other departmental officials and bank representatives, illicitly withdrew crores of rupees from government accounts and facilitated fictitious appointments.
“The investigation revealed extensive criminal activities, including the misappropriation of government funds. During the inquiry, crores of rupees were seized from the alleged kingpin, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, which were subsequently deposited into the Government Treasury. It was further discovered that significant sums were transferred to various bank accounts of the accused, comprising savings accounts and term deposits, along with the accrued interest,” the statement elaborated.
Permission for prosecution against the implicated individuals was granted by the government, leading to the filing of a charge sheet before the appropriate court for judicial review,” the statement concluded.