ACB books former PWD head draftsman in massive disproportionate assets case

JAMMU, Oct 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case against a former Head Draftsman posted in the office of the Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Poonch, after preliminary inquiries revealed massive wealth far beyond his known sources of income.

According to an official statement, FIR No. 18/2025 under Section 13(1)(b) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) has been lodged at Police Station ACB Jammu following an in-depth verification of allegations that the public servant had amassed huge assets  both movable and immovable — in his own name as well as in the names of his family members.

The verification uncovered a staggering accumulation of wealth, including a palatial double-storey residential house, multiple luxury vehicles, expensive electronic appliances, and substantial bank balances, none of which were commensurate with his known income. The findings strongly suggested that these assets were acquired through ill-gotten means during his tenure in government service.

As part of the investigation, the ACB secured a search warrant from the court and conducted a raid at the accused’s residential premises located at Chandan Vihar, Muthi, Jammu, in the presence of independent witnesses and a magistrate. The search aimed to gather additional evidence and trace the full extent of the disproportionate wealth accumulated by the official.

An ACB spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that all financial records, property documents, and transactions linked to the accused and his family members are under detailed scrutiny. The bureau reiterated its commitment to rooting out corruption from public offices and ensuring that those who misuse their positions for personal enrichment are brought to justice.