The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an official in Banihal area of Ramban district while accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000 from a complainant.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, a spokesperson said that a case was registered by CBI against the accused on allegations that the accused demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the complainant for processing his application for land settlement.

The statement reads that after negotiation, the accused agreed to accept the bribe of Rs 18,000 from the complainant.

“CBI laid a trap yesterday and caught the accused red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000 from the complainant,” it reads.

It added that searches were conducted at the residential and official premises of the accused which led to the recovery of cash of Rs 3,71,500 and other documents, while the investigation is going on.

SRINAGAR — The Special Judge for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases in Jammu has convicted two individuals, including an investigator on the panel of Oriental Insurance Company (OIC) and a claimant, in a case involving bogus insurance claims.

As per a statement, the case was registered by the CBI in 2007. The accused allegedly conspired to submit fraudulent insurance claims for dwelling houses in Srinagar, reported to have been gutted by fire during 1997-98.

The statement further said that the accused obtained an undue claim amounting to Rs 9,52,913 from Oriental Insurance Company Limited, despite no fire incidents being recorded during that period by the J&K Fire and Emergency Services Command, Srinagar.

After completing the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet in 2009. The chargesheet, related to the false claim for the residential building of Satish Chander Wasoori, named the accused as Subhash Saraf (Surveyor), Raj Nath Tickoo (Investigator), Satish Chander Wasoori (Claimant), and Badri Nath Koul (Development Officer, Oriental Insurance Company).

Charges were framed against all the accused in 2010. However, Subhash Saraf and Badri Nath Koul passed away during the trial, leading to the abatement of charges against them.

Following the trial, the court found RN Tickoo, the investigator, and Satish Chander Wasoori, the claimant, guilty.

The CBI presented 32 witnesses and 97 documents to support the charges, which were upheld in court. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Tuesday (tomorrow).

NEW DELHI — Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday condemned the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searches at his premises in connection with its probe into a ₹2200 crore corruption case.

The CBI searched premises linked to Malik at R K Puram, Dwarka and Asian Games Village in Delhi, besides those in Gurugram and Baghpat.

“I have been ill for the past 3-4 days and am hospitalised. Despite this, the government agencies are raiding my house on the directions of the dictator. My driver and assistant have been raided and are being harassed. I am a farmer's son and will not be scared by the raids. I am with the farmers,” Malik said in a post on X.

Malik, who served as the Governor of the erstwhile state of J&K between August 2018 and October 2019, said, “I had complained against people accused of corruption. But CBI raided my house instead of searching them. You will not get anything from my house except my 4-5 kurta pyjamas. The dictator is trying to scare me by misusing government agencies. I am a farmer's son, won't be scared and bow down.”

The case pertains to alleged corruption in awarding a civil work contract related to the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP).

Malik had claimed that he was offered a ₹300 crore bribe for clearing two files, including the one pertaining to the project.

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday morning carried out raids at 12 locations in different places in Delhi and Rajasthan as part of an investigation into the allotment of civil works of Kiru hydroelectric project.

An official told news agency KNO that the CBI is carrying out raids at the residences of Sunak Bali, Varinder Singh Rana, Kanwar Singh Rana and a few others in Delhi and Rajasthan as part of a probe in allotment of Rs 2200 crore civil works of Kiru hydel project.

“Sunak Bali would frequently visit Raj Bhavan during Satya Pal Malik’s stint as J&K Governor. As per Malik, Bali was not on the payroll of the government, but was his press advisor,” they said, adding that Varinder Singh Rana was the Private Secretary of Malik.

VS Rana was not a government employee, but was being paid from the exchequer of J&K Government after being engaged as Private Secretary by Malik, sources disclosed.

According to sources, Kanwar Singh Rana was also hired by Malik but he would mostly stay in Delhi. Kanwar Singh Rana and Varinder Singh Rana are relatives, they said.

The CBI official said that the raids are being carried out to collect further evidence in the case.

SRINAGAR — A court in Jammu on Wednesday issued a production warrant against Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Muhammad Yasin Malik, directing the Tihar jail authorities to produce him physically before it on the next date of hearing in the Rubaiya Sayeed abduction case.

Talking to the news agency KNO, advocate Monika Kohli, CBI counsel in the case, said the TADA court has issued a production warrant against Malik and directed the Tihar jail authorities to produce him before it on the next date of the hearing. “The next date of hearing is scheduled on October 20,” she said.

Malik had requested the court to allow him to appear physically to cross-examine witnesses in the case.

The CBI counsel said lawyers of other accused in the case cross-examined Rubaiya Sayeed today.

On July 15, Rubaiya identified Yasin Malik, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in another case and is currently lodged in Tihar jail, as his abductor in 1989.

PDP chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti had defended the identification of Yasin Malik by her sister, saying she did her duty as per the law.

Rubaiya was kidnapped on December 8, 1989, and was set free five days later in exchange for the release of five militants of JKLF.

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday conducted searches at around 36 locations in an ongoing investigation of a case related to the Sub Inspector Recruitment Scam of J&K. “Incriminating documents and digital evidence have so far been recovered during searches,” CBI said, according to the news agency GNS.

The searches were conducted at Jammu, Srinagar in J&K; Karnal; Mahendergarh; Rewari in Haryana; Gandhidham in Gujarat; Delhi; Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Bangalore in Karnataka at the premises of former Chairman, JKSSB; then Controller of Examination of JKSSB; “Gang” members domiciled in Haryana; certain teachers; some serving/retired officials of J&K Police including a DSP and CRPF.

The CBI had registered the case on August 3 this year on the request of the J&K Government against 33 accused including then Medical Officer, BSF Frontier headquarters, Paloura; then Member, JKSSB; then Under Secretary, then Section Officer (both of JKSSB); Ex-Official of CRPF; ASI of J&K Police; owner of a coaching centre, Akhnoor; private company based at Bengaluru; private persons and unknown others on the allegations of irregularities in written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors in the J&K Police conducted by J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on March 27.

The results were declared on June 4. Amid allegations regarding malpractices in the examination, the J&K government constituted an Inquiry Committee to look into the same. It was alleged that the accused entered a conspiracy amongst officials of JKSSB, Bengaluru-based private company, beneficiary candidates and others, and caused gross irregularities in the conduct of written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors.

It was further alleged that there was an abnormally high percentage of selected candidates from Jammu, Rajouri and Samba districts. Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting the question paper to Bengaluru-based private company.

Earlier on August 5, the CBI had carried out searches in the premises of the accused at 30 locations including Jammu, Srinagar and Bengaluru.

“Investigation has revealed the alleged payment of Rs 20 to 30 lakh (approx) by willing candidates and their families to the accused for accessing the question paper before the commencement of the examination,” the CBI said, adding, “In this regard, involvement of a gang domiciled in Haryana, certain teachers of J&K, some serving/retired personnel of CRPF, J&K Police and JKSSB has allegedly come to light.”

JAMMU — A court in Jammu on Tuesday issued a bailable warrant against Rubaiya Sayeed after she did not appear for her cross-examination by JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik, whom she had identified as her abductor during the last hearing of the case.

Talking to the news agency KNO, Advocate Monika Kohli, the special public prosecutor for CBI, said that Rubaiya Sayeed did not appear in the TADA court for her cross-examination by the accused.

“The court has issued a bailable warrant against her and directed her to remain present on the next date of the hearing scheduled on September 21,” she said.

In July this year, Rubaiya identified Yasin Malik as one of her kidnappers in 1989. Rubaiya was kidnapped in December 1989 when her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was the Union Home Minister.

The CBI counsel said the court today also turned down Yasin Malik’s plea for physical appearance, saying there were directions from the High Court to produce all the accused in all the cases through virtual mode. She said the court also offered Malik legal aid but he refused the offer.

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against 33 accused persons for alleged irregularities in the examination of the J&K Police Sub-Inspector posts conducted by the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB).

In a statement, as per the news agency KNO, the CBI said it has registered a case on the request of the J&K Government against 33 accused including then Medical Officer, BSF Frontier headquarters, Paloura, then Member JKSSB, then Under Secretary, then Section Officer (both of JKSSB), Ex-Official of CRPF, ASI of J&K Police, owner of a coaching centre in Akhnoor, a private company based at Bengaluru, private persons and unknown others.

The statement reads that the case has been registered on the allegations of irregularities in the written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors in the J&K Police on March 27 this year, conducted by JKSSB.

The statement reads that the results were declared on June 4 this year and there were allegations regarding malpractices in the examination.

“The J&K government had constituted an Inquiry Committee to look into the same. It was alleged that the accused entered into conspiracy amongst officials of JKSSB, Bengaluru-based private company, beneficiary candidates and others, and caused gross irregularities in the conduct of written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors,” it added.

It reads that it was further alleged that there was an abnormally high percentage of selected candidates from Jammu, Rajouri and Samba districts.

“Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting question paper to Bengaluru-based private company,” it reads.

It further reads that searches were conducted today at 30 locations including at Jammu, Srinagar, Bengaluru etc. at the premises of the accused, while the investigation is going on.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday cancelled the police sub-inspectors' recruitment after allegations of fraud in the recruitment process surfaced.

"Jammu and Kashmir Police Sub-Inspector recruitment has been cancelled and a CBI probe has been recommended into the selection process. Culprits will be brought to justice soon. It is the first big step towards securing the future of our youth and the government will soon decide the future course of action for fresh recruitment," LG Manoj Sinha said.

The SI selection list by Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) was displayed online on June 4. However, soon after the declaration of the result online, unsuccessful candidates took to the street alleging fraud in the recruitment process.

Among the toppers in the list were allegedly siblings from 20 families, raising doubts about the fairness of the selection process.

The selection of 40 candidates from a specific area and specific centre in Jammu had also raised eyebrows.

Earlier, the LG had said that the recruitment (list) would be cancelled if any wrongdoing is found during the inquiry.

SRINAGAR — Anti-corruption branch of the CBI Srinagar has registered a case over the alleged embezzlement of public money at J&K Grameen Bank, Mirgund branch.

An official told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Ishtiyaq Ahmad Parray, then the branch head of the bank, had sanctioned a number of car loans worth crores in favour of non-existing borrowers on the basis of fake vehicle registration documents in league with other private parties.

He further said these loans were sanctioned between 2014 to 2018.

While confirming the registration of FIR, an official said that subsequent searches were made by CBI sleuths and incriminating documents, numerous bank account details, and other related documents were seized.

SRINAGAR — CBI Srinagar conducted searches in J&K Bank in connection with an alleged multicrore scam.

An official on condition of anonymity said that the anti-corruption branch of the CBI Srinagar carried out searches at multiple locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar following the registration of a case related to a multicrore scam in the purchase of office space of approximately 65000 square feet area by J&K Bank at Mumbai.

These searches, as per the officials, are being carried out simultaneously by CBI sleuths at the residences of Haseeb Drabu, the then Chairman of J&K Bank besides members of the Estates Committee of Board of Directors of the Bank including A.K. Mehta, then Executive Director, Muhammed Ibrahim Shahdad and Vikrant Kuthiala, both then Directors.

It has been alleged that these members of the Estate Committee of the Board of Directors have allegedly received kickbacks in crores for facilitating the said deal.

Sources have also confirmed that incriminating documents, numerous bank account details, bank locker keys and other related documents were seized by the CBI.

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday carried out pan-India raids to probe the malpractices in the allotment of Rs 2200 crore civil works contract of Kiru hydroelectric project to Patel Engineering Limited by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPPL) in 2019.

As per the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the CBI today conducted searches at 14 locations including Jammu, Srinagar, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Trivandrum (Kerala) and Darbhanga (Bihar) to probe allegations of malpractices in the allotment of civil works contract of Kiru power project.

The searches were carried out by the sleuths of CBI at the residences of the accused including Navin Choudhary, who was then chairman of CVPPPL, and others named in the FIR.

The CBI has registered FIR against Choudhary, MS Babu (then managing director CVPPPL), Arun Kumar Mishra (then director CVPPPL), Patel Engineering Limited and unknown others after the J&K Government recommended an inquiry into it.

Based on reports of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and J&K’s Power Development Department, the J&K Government last month wrote to the CBI to probe allegations of malpractices in the allotment of the contract.

The perusal of these reports reveals that guidelines regarding e-tendering were not followed while awarding the civil works package of the Kiru hydroelectric project.

In the 47th Board of Directors (BOD) meeting of CVPPL, it was decided to re-tender works through e-tendering with the reverse auction after the cancellation of ongoing tendering. But in the 48th meeting, the decision was not implemented and the contract was awarded to Patel Engineering Limited.

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting searches at multiple places across the country in two separate cases.

The searches are on at 14 locations including at Jammu, Srinagar, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Trivandrum (Kerala), Darbhanga (Bihar) at the premises of the accused including private companies, then Chairman, then MD, then Directors of CVPPPL,” the officials told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“CBI had registered two separate cases on the request from Jammu & Kashmir Government on the allegations of malpractices (I) in the award of contract of J&K Employees Health Care Insurance Scheme to private company & release of Rs. 60 crore (approx.) in the year 2017-18 and (II) award of the contract worth Rs. 2200 crore (approx.) of civil works of Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project (HEP) to a private firm in the year 2019,” they said.

Pertinently, top bureaucrat, Navin Choudhary was then chairman of CVPPPL.

SRINAGAR — Revealing large scale irregularities in Forest Division Shopian, locals have demanded Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe looting and irregularities taking place in the division.

Reliable sources told CNS that the forests under the Shopian and Romshi range have been brought to the brink of complete destruction. The market for loot is hot in the compartments which come under Shopian and Romshi ranges including Dabjan, Methwani, Kathuhalan, Sahduw, Laji Gathen, Tharina, Nagwan, Keller, Mujh Pathari, Sangerwani areas of forests in Pulwama and Shopian.

Sources also said that the compartments of Kathu Hallan, Majh Pathri and Thyroon block include RB-28, RB-29 and RB-30 on which the government has spent a huge amount on CAMPA closures. However, large-scale irregularities have been revealed.

Sources said that substandard material was being used in these CAMPA closures and that it involved the collusion of the Division Forrest Officer (DFO) with the hired contractors.

Meanwhile, sources also alleged that large scale looting was going on in compartments RB-27, RB-28 and RB-26 under green filling in Kathuhalan and Majh Pathri, during which green gold was approved by the contractors and an open waiver of deduction has been given.

Meanwhile, local sources added that if the deployment of clean and transparent administration and honest division forest officer in the division was not carried out immediately and that the former administration was deployed, then the Shopian and Romshi range of forests in green gold will be completely eliminated in the future.