Crime Branch Files Chargesheet in Budgam Municipal Embezzlement Case
Former municipal president, two others booked for cheating, forgery and corruption
Srinagar, Dec 16: In a major development, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a high profile fraud case related to the illegal allotment of a building belonging to the Municipal Committee Budgam, naming the then municipal president and two others as accused.
The chargesheet has been presented before the Court of the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 03/2022, which involves allegations of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and abuse of official position.
According to officials, the chargesheet has been filed under Sections 420, 468 and 120-B of the RPC, read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, against three accused Gh. Mohi-ud-Din Dar, former President of Municipal Committee Budgam; Gh. Mohammad Mir; and Abdul Majid Bhat, all residents of Budgam district.
The case originated from a complaint alleging large-scale embezzlement and illegal allotment of a government-owned municipal building under the Municipal Committee Budgam.
Investigations revealed that the then municipal president allegedly misused his official position to confer undue benefits upon co-accused Gh. Mohammad Mir. The allotment order, which was claimed to be based on a Municipal Committee resolution and approval from the Director Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, was found to be forged and non-existent.
The probe further established that the accused entered into a criminal conspiracy and prepared fake documents, including a forged allotment order, without any lawful authority or approval. During the investigation, all three accused were examined and reportedly admitted their roles in executing the partnership deed, dissolution deed and issuance of the fake allotment order.
Based on substantial oral and documentary evidence collected during the investigation, offences under Sections 120-B, 420 and 468 RPC have been established against all accused. The former President MC Budgam has also been charged under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for abuse of official position.
Accordingly, the chargesheet has been submitted before the competent court for judicial adjudication.
