The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against 108 accused persons in a major corruption case involving embezzlement of government funds and illegal appointments in the Electric Division Sumbal.
According to an official statement, the chargesheet in FIR No. 25/2018 has been submitted before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The accused include 15 Executive Engineers, six Assistant Accounts Officers, one Accounts Assistant, six Head Assistants, four Senior Assistants, four Junior Assistants and one Orderly, all posted in the Electric Division Sumbal. Among the accused is Mushtaq Ahmad Malik of Aragam, Bandipora, identified as the kingpin of the racket. The chargesheet also names 25 officers and officials of J&K Bank, Branch Sumbal Sonawari, and 46 fake employees who were allegedly appointed illegally.
Investigators said the case was registered after receiving credible information that the Drawing and Disbursing Officer, in connivance with departmental officials and bank staff, fraudulently withdrew crores of rupees from government accounts and facilitated fake appointments. The investigation revealed large-scale diversion and misappropriation of public funds.
During the probe, crores of rupees were recovered from the accused kingpin and deposited into the government treasury. It was also found that substantial amounts had been transferred to various bank accounts of the accused, including savings accounts and term deposits, along with accrued interest.
The statement said the government has accorded sanction for prosecution against the accused persons, following which the chargesheet was filed for judicial scrutiny and trial.
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