A highly alarming case of administrative misconduct has surfaced from the Tehsil Office Khoie Tarzoo in Sopore, where a clerk allegedly altered an official notice issued by his superior officer and misused it for personal motives. Shockingly, the act was reportedly carried out openly during the day, yet no effective action has so far been taken against the concerned official.
According to reports, the matter came to light when the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Baramulla issued a routine notice in connection with a property dispute to a known journalist and Editor of Daily United Times, Iftikhar Rashid, directing him to appear on the next hearing date. The notice, as per procedure, was forwarded to the Tehsil Office Khoie Tarzoo, Sopore.
However, a clerk posted at the office, Mushtaq Ahmad, allegedly tampered with the notice on his own, altered its nature, and had it pasted at multiple public locations including the residential gate of Iftikhar Rashid, a local mosque, and marketplace areas. It is further alleged that the concerned chowkidar, Ghulam Nabi, was pressured to display the notice publicly in various lanes and streets.
The incident has triggered serious concern in the locality. Residents stated that Iftikhar Rashid is a respected citizen, senior journalist, and socially recognized personality, and that an attempt was made to publicly defame him under the guise of official proceedings.
When contacted, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla clarified that it was merely a routine notice and there was absolutely no requirement to paste it on gates, mosques, or other public places. He assured that a thorough inquiry would be conducted and action taken against those found responsible.
Meanwhile, the Tehsildar Khoie distanced himself from the matter, stating that no instructions were issued from his side to display the notice publicly. On the other hand, chowkidar Ghulam Nabi reportedly confirmed that the directions to paste the notice in various places were given directly by Clerk Mushtaq Ahmad.
Public circles and legal experts have termed tampering with an official document a serious offense, demanding an impartial and transparent investigation. Questions are also being raised whether the clerk acted under monetary influence from any party or whether the move was driven by personal enmity.
The media fraternity has strongly condemned the alleged attempt to malign Editor Iftikhar Rashid under the pretext of official procedure and has demanded that the concerned clerk be suspended pending investigation to ensure fairness and justice.
For now, public attention remains focused on the administration’s next course of action, to determine whether the rule of law will prevail equally for all and whether misuse of official authority will be dealt with firmly.
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