Srinagar, Jan 2: In one of the largest corruption cases in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against 108 individuals in connection with large scale embezzlement of government funds and illegal appointments in the Electric Division Sumbal.
The chargesheet, submitted under FIR No. 25/2018, cites offences under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. It has been filed before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla.
Among the accused are 15 Executive Engineers, six Assistant Accounts Officers, one Accounts Assistant, six Head Assistants, four Senior Assistants including the alleged kingpin Mushtaq Ahmad Malik of Aragam, Bandipora four Junior Assistants, and one Orderly. The chargesheet also names 25 officers and officials of J&K Bank, Branch Sumbal Sonawari, along with 46 individuals who were illegally appointed as fake employees.
The case was registered after credible information surfaced that the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), in collusion with department and bank officials, fraudulently withdrew crores of rupees from government accounts and facilitated fake appointments. Investigations revealed large-scale diversion of government funds and other irregularities.
During the probe, crores of rupees were recovered from Mushtaq Ahmad Malik and deposited into the government treasury. Investigators also traced substantial amounts transferred to multiple bank accounts of the accused, including savings accounts and term deposits, along with accrued interest.
The Jammu and Kashmir government had granted sanction for prosecution against all accused, paving the way for the chargesheet to be submitted for judicial adjudication.