The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A Senior Assitant-cum-Cashier working in the office of Executive Engineer, KPDCL Sub Transmission Division, Sopore has been arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹9000, the anti-graft agency said on Monday.

As per the news agency CNS, ACB said it received a complaint against Mohammad Shafi Bhat, Senior Assistant-cum-Cashier in the office of the Executive Engineer, KPDCL, Sub Transmission Division Sopore, alleging therein the demand of bribe of ₹10,000 for release of security amount to the tune of ₹15,560.

“It was alleged by the complainant in his complaint that he is running a firm namely M/S Print Plus at Hazratbal Srinagar and in the year 2021, he had supplied stationery items and log books to the office of Executive Engineer, KPDCL, Sopore for which the bill payment against the supplied items was made by the department but the security deposit amount of ₹15,560 is pending with the KPDCL, Sopore,” said the ACB in a statement.

He further alleged that he approached the department for the release of the security amount many times but one cashier Mohammad Shafi kept delaying on one pretext or another and finally demanded ₹10,000 as a bribe from him for doing so and that he had collected proof against said cashier regarding the demand of a bribe. Under these circumstances, he approached ACB with a written complaint requesting legal action against the Cashier for demanding of bribe, the anti-graft agency said.

“As the contents of complaint prima facie disclose the commission of an offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (read with its amendment Act 2018) by the accused public servant namely Mohammad Shafi, Cashier in the office of the Executive Engineer, KPDCL Sub Transmission Division Sopore District Baramulla, accordingly a case FIR No. 09/2024 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (read with its amendment Act 2018) was registered against him at Police Station, Anti Corruption Bureau, Baramulla and investigations were initiated,” it added.

During the course of investigations, ACB said that the accused public servant was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe from the complainant by a specially constituted team of ACB headed by a DySP rank officer.

“He was immediately taken into custody after completing the legal formalities. The bribe amount was also recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses. Further investigations into the case are going on,” ACB added in the statement.

KATHUA — The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sprung into action following a written complaint received from a resident of Machhedi, District Kathua. The complaint alleges that Gulshan Singh, Patwari of Halqa Machhedi, Kathua, demanded a bribe of ₹5000 for the issuance of Virsati Intqal mutations and legal heir certificates.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the complainant utilized the online portal of the Revenue Department for application submission and subsequently met the Patwari for document issuance. It was reported that Patwari initially received ₹2000 as an advance payment and then demanded the remaining ₹3000 from the complainant.

Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the ACB took swift action, registering case FIR No. 02/2023 at Police Station ACB Central and initiating an investigation.

The official disclosed that a trap team was formed as part of the investigation process, which successfully caught the accused Patwari red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹3000 in the presence of independent witnesses. Following the completion of legal formalities, the Patwari was promptly arrested at the scene.

Subsequent to the arrest, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused located at Ward No. 21, Ram Nagar Colony, Kathua.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing, as confirmed by the official.

SRINAGAR — Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said that it has registered a case against Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Shopian and others for misappropriation of funds.

As per a statement issued to the news agency KNO, Anti-Corruption Bureau registered a case of criminal misappropriation against Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Shopian; Ghulam Rasool Mir, Khilafwarzi Officer; Naseer Ahmad Indrabi, Head Assistant; Showkat Hussain Teli; Works Supervisor; Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, Driver and others under sections 5(1)(c)(d) r/w 5(2) of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt 2006 and section 120-B RPC on the outcome of a verification.

During the course of the verification, it surfaced that the Municipal Committee Shopian had purchased an Ashoka Leyland BS-IV Tipper from GeM Portal in the year 2018 against which they had issued fuel of 11,051 litres from January 2018 to March 31, 2020 by inflating the figures of fuel consumption, the statement reads.

“The Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Shopian constituted a committee which had fixed fuel consumption of 11 litres per hour against the said Tipper, whereas, the same during verification was computed only 3 litres per hour as per the opinion of Mechanical Engineering Department. Thus, 8 litres of fuel per hour as such was usurped by the people at the helm of the committee by misuse and abuse of their official position which aggregated to 11,051 litres for the above period.

"Besides, against an already grounded Tipper, the committee had also illegally issued fuel measuring 3566 litres from February 2018 to March 2020, causing misappropriation of funds amounting to several lakhs,” the statement said.

After registration of the case, searches in accordance with the law were conducted at the residential houses of the accused situated at Bemina Srinagar; Frestbal Pampore; Pucchal Pulwama; Batpora Shopian and Hargam Shopian.

During the search, some important documents related to the case were collected and consequently seized, the statement said, adding that further investigation of the case is in progress.

SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said it caught a Range Officer in Khulhama forest Division of Bandipora district red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 for processing the bill of the complainant.

A spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency KNO said that ACB received a written complaint against Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, Range Officer, Khulhama, Bandipora from a complainant, alleging therein that the concerned officer is demanding a bribe as a commission of Rs 10,000 for processing his bill for release of due payments.

"The complainant further alleged that he is a contractor and had completed the allotted work for an amount of Rs 3,21,000 and that after completing the said work, the Forest Department has already released two bills in his favour," the statement said.

However, the final bill to the tune of about Rs one lac has been pending with the said department for last one-and-a-half month for which concerned Range Officer Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi put a demand of bribe as his commission of Rs 15,000 for all three bills including already two released bills, the statement said.

"The said amount after negotiations with the accused Range Officer, was settled on Rs. 10,000. The complainant arranged Rs 10,000 and approached ACB with a complaint requesting for legal action," it said.

"On receipt of a complaint which prima facie disclosed the commission of an offence punishable u/s 7 of the PC Act 1988 (as amended in 2018), accordingly case FIR No. 13/2023 was registered at PS ACB Baramulla and an investigation was taken up," the spokesman said.

During the course of the investigation, a trap team was constituted and headed by DySP rank officer. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused public servant namely Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi son of Late Assadullah Sofi, resident of Onagam, Bandipora posted as Range Officer, Khulhama forest range, Bandipora while demanding and accepting the bribe money of Rs 10,000. The bribe amount was recovered from the possession of the accused in the presence of independent witnesses, the statement said.

"The accused was immediately taken into custody after following due process as laid down under law and searches at his residence were conducted," the spokesman said, adding that further investigation of the case is going on.

SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Jammu and Kashmir conducted a successful operation, resulting in the arrest of an Assistant Engineer from the BDO office in Surasyar Chadoora, situated in central Kashmir's Budgam district, on allegations of accepting bribes.

According to a high-ranking official, who spoke to the news agency KDC, the arrest was made after Tanveer Ahmad was caught red-handed accepting a bribe. A substantial amount of money was seized from his possession during a thorough search, the official confirmed.

Following the receipt of a formal complaint, an FIR was promptly filed under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at the Police Station ACB in central Kashmir. Subsequent investigations were initiated to probe the matter.

A dedicated team was assembled for the operation. This team efficiently set up a trap that successfully apprehended Tanveer Ahmad while he was in the act of receiving a bribe. The recovery of the bribe money was witnessed by independent observers present at the scene.

The accused official was immediately taken into custody and transferred to a police station. Further inquiries and investigations into the case are currently underway.

JAMMU — A local court has extended the time for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu to submit the latest status about the alleged scam in the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pertinently, last year, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed had submitted a complaint before the Director, CBI seeking registration of FIR into Rs. 500-700 crores scam in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Scheme which later came to be transferred by the CBI to the Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K.

The court had directed the ACB to submit the status report by or before September 26 this month and today, Additional Sessions Judge (Anti-Corruption) Jammu O.P. Bhagat extended the time up to September 30, 2023.

Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for ACB submitted that he has not received the status report from the ACB Headquarters and he be allowed more time to comply with the orders of the Court.

On the other hand Advocate, S.S. Ahmed resisted the prayer and submitted that ACB is taking the matter casually and an attempt is being made to hush up Rs. 500-700 crores scam. He further submitted that a time-bound direction be issued to the ACB so that the status of the scam is known to everyone.

The court agreed and asked ACB to present the status report on Saturday.

SRINAGAR — Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested a Revenue official while demanding and accepting a bribe in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

ACB said that Tariq Ahmad Shah, posted as Patwari in Hathbura Halqa in Ganderbal, was caught red-handed by sleuths of the anti-corruption branch of CBI Srinagar in a well-laid trap while demanding and accepting a bribe of rupees fifty thousand from the complainant at main town Ganderbal.

The tainted amount was recovered from the accused Patwari on the spot in the presence of the independent witnesses.

ACB, in this regard, has registered a formal case vide FIR number 01/2023 under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).

In the meantime, the accused Patwari was arrested on the spot and taken into custody.

SHOPIAN — An awareness programme on anti-corruption laws in observance of Vigilance Awareness Week under the banner of 'My College My Pride' was organized on Wednesday in the auditorium of Government Degree College Shopian by the College Debates and Seminars Committee. The programme was organized in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Bureau Anantnag.

Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Mr. Sachin Kumar (IAS) was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof. Tariq Hussain, Vice Principal attended the event as the guest of honour. The guest speakers included Mr. Mohammad Shafiq, DySp ACB Anantnag and Mr. Khurshid Ahmad, Public Prosecutor Pulwama.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Mr. Sachin Kumar emphasized the role of educated youth in making the nation stronger by way of making the system and the society free of any form of corruption.

Mr. Mohammad Shafiq discussed the anti-corruption measures taken by ACB in detecting, investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials. He sought the help of people in coming forward with complaints of bribery/corruption from any government official.

Public Prosecutor Pulwama, Mr. Khurshid threw light on various facets and forms of corrupt practices and opined that corruption can be rooted out completely only when people take upon themselves the duty of building a morally and ethically upright nation.

Prof. Tariq Hussain, Vice Principal of the college stressed the need for students to spread the message of a corruption-free system and society among their family members and wider society. He said that time has come when we need to practice more and preach less.

Prof. Mehmood Tak, senior faculty member and Head Department of Botany asked the students to do their bit by way of honest and upright actions. He asked the students not to resort to malpractices with respect to their studies and examinations.

Three students of the college delivered impressive speeches on the theme of rooting out corruption and were awarded cash prizes by the ACB officials.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Shahnawaz Ahmad Khanday, Head Department of Sociology, sought to highlight the importance of understanding the menace of corruption in a holistic manner and taking adequate measures at individual and societal levels to root it out.

The programme ended with a Vote of Thanks to all in attendance. The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr. Umar Farooq from the Department of Botany.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday arrested an Exen of Jal Shakthi department and a Ward officer of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) while accepting bribes in Kashmir capital Srinagar.

Sources, as per the news agency KDC, said that one Exen of Jal Shakti was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of rupees 25,000. The officer was identified as Tariq Kachroo, posted as Exen groundwater division Kashmir.

In another trap case, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, a resident of HMT Srinagar who is the Ward officer of Ward 10 Zadibal was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of rupees 20,000 at Alamgari Bazar here.

Both the officers were arrested on different spots by the ACB teams, the bribe money was also recovered from their possession in presence of independent witnesses, an official from ACB confirmed and said that further investigations into the matter are going on.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) has rocked with the 'Rs 43-lakh Biryani scam' as the amount sanctioned for the development of sport was allegedly swindled by those sitting at the helm of the affairs.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against the JKFA for misappropriation of funds worth lakhs of rupees provided to them by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council for the promotion of football.

The case is registered against JKFA President Zamir Thakur, Treasurer Surinder Singh Bunty, Chief Executive S A Hameed and member Fayaz Ahmad besides other office bearers for misappropriation of funds worth lakhs of rupees withdrawn against false and fabricated bills.

"As of now, no person has been arrested. Further action will be taken only after completion of the investigation.” The case has already been registered after the initial investigation in which some fraud was detected.

According to ACB, some football lovers lodged a written complaint through one Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat against bungling in JKFA. It was alleged that funds allotted by the J&K Sports Council and other Government and semi-Government agencies, for conducting football activities across J&K were misused and the funds sanctioned by the Government through J&K Sports Council to organize tournaments like Khelo India and Mufti Memorial Gold Cup were not utilized properly.

The preliminary investigation found that members of the Association showed an amount of Rs 43,06,500 paid to Restaurant Mughal Darbar, Polo View in Srinagar for the purchase of Biryani as refreshment for the teams.

However, the ACB found that no such refreshment has ever been given to any team in any district of Kashmir province. The bills raised by the Association and placed on record before the ACB have been found fake.

The ACB has also found that an amount of Rs 1,41,300 was shown paid to Hindustan Photostat for various activities. It was found fake during the inquiry and prepared by resorting to forgery.

The probe found that Rs 43,06,500 has been drawn out of the Rs 50 lakh budget released for the Kashmir division by the J&K Sports Council which upon inquiry has been found drawn based on fake and forged bills or documents.

According to ACB, it has also been found that the J&K Sports Council released these funds to the JKFA before the commencement of the events without ensuring account for on-ground utilization and follow-up thereupon.

The probe conducted revealed that all these bills are forged as they bear the handwriting of the same person.

The ACB found that the amount has been found drawn by preparing false and fabricated bills by the J&K Football Association members including JKFA President Zameer Ahmad Thakur, Treasurer S S Bunty, Chief Executive S A Hameed, District President JKFA Fayaz Ahmad, and others.

A case (vide FIR No. 30/22 under Section 5(1) (c), 5(1) (d) read with Section 5(2) of the JK PC Act Svt 2006 and Section 465, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code) has been registered in Police Station ACB Srinagar.

SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested State Manager, Jammu & Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation, Srinagar for demanding and accepting the bribe.

In a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), it said ACB arrested Fayaz Ahmad Khan, State Manager, Jammu & Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation, Srinagar for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1.05 lakh from the complainant for issuance of NoC.

"Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint from complainant resident of Suthrashahi, Srinagar alleging therein that he is an industrial unit holder. His unit is situated at Khunmoh, Srinagar. For the expansion of the said industrial unit, he had requested for financial support/assistance from the J&K Bank Khunmoh. The bank sought NOC from SIDCO (Jammu & Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation), Sanat Ghar, Bemina, Srinagar," reads the statement.

Immediately after registration of the case, ACB constituted a team and caught Fayaz Ahmad Khan, State Manager, SIDCO Sanat Ghar, Bemina, Srinagar red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe from the complainant.

He was arrested on the spot by the ACB team. "The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses," it said.

SRINAGAR — A preliminary enquiry conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) into the purchase of a building for Rs 180 crore by the J&K Bank in Mumbai in 2010 has revealed that there was no requirement for purchasing the building and the lowest bidder was twice ignored by the Bank.

Documents in possession of news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that a preliminary enquiry conducted by the ACB states that on November 6, 2018, an advertisement was issued by the J&K Bank for purchasing 20000 square feet of integrated office premises at Bandra Kurla, Mumbai.

According to the documents, offers were received from 25 builders and the committee constituted for the task shortlisted eight buildings. “The spot inspection of the shortlisted properties was conducted on 13.12.2008 by a high-level committee of J&K Bank. Amongst these eight parties, the rates offered by Ashapura Builders (Hallmark Business Plaza) were the lowest (Rs 25000 per square feet),” reads the documents.

The ACB probe further revealed that on July 28, 2009, a letter was received by the J&K Bank from M/S Ashapura Builders indicating therein its willingness to offer the 3rd floor of the building measuring 30000 square feet built-up area at Rs 22,500 per square feet chargeable area.

“The application was processed and submitted to then-chairman to take a decision but no decision was taken regarding the finalization of the contract with M/S Ashapura Builder owners,” reads the documents.

According to documents, a committee was constituted with the approval of the chairman to take a view with regard to the offer received. “The committee so constituted has done nothing in respect of offers received especially on the application of M/S Ashapura Builders,” the ACB report reveals.

The ACB enquiry further revealed that upon directions of corporate headquarters J&K Bank, the zonal head Mumbai published another advertisement on January 14, 2010, wherein it was mentioned that J&K Bank required premises on outright purchase basis having office space comprising of about 25000-30000 square feet and residential flats in or around Andheri (15 single BHK 600-800 square feet and 10 double BHK 1000-1200 square feet).

Subsequently, 23 offers were received and M/S Ashapura Builders was again quoted the lowest rate at Rs 25,000 per square feet. “It has been found that no heed once again was paid to the lowest rates offered by the said builder,” reads the anti-graft body’s report.

On February 25, 2010, it has been found that in the Board of Directors meeting, the Director Estate Committee briefed Board members about site inspections of the shortlisted properties conducted by the Estates Committee. “The members were informed that among the shortlisted properties, Akruti Gold BKC meets the requirements of the bank. He further informed the members that the total chargeable area of the entire building was around 42000 square feet area and the rate quoted for the sale was Rs 26000 per square feet area which roughly works out to Rs 109 crores for the entire building and Rs 73 crores for the proposal six floors," the report said.

"The members of the Board accorded approval to the proposal and decided that Bank should enter into negotiations with the builders on purchasing the entire building. Accordingly, negotiations were held with the builder Akruti Gold BKC and finally, the rate was finalized at Rs 26000 per square feet for nine floors having a total chargeable area of 63776 square feet. A letter of intent was signed with the builder and token money of Rs 25 crores was paid to developer Vishal Techno Commerce Limited," reads the report.

An enquiry conducted has revealed that there was sufficient space available with J&K Bank for functioning of Branch Bandra Kurla, Zonal Office and Treasury, as such there was no requirement of purchasing any additional accommodation.

“The Zonal office Mumbai, Branch Bandra Kurla and Treasury were already functioning in the Bank's own buildings,” reads the report.

SRINAGAR — Anti-Corruption Bureau on Sunday arrested a technician for demanding and accepting Rs 25000 bribe for processing a power agreement case in Anantnag.

In a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), ACB said it arrested Vinood Kumar Fotedar, Technician-2nd in the office of Assistant Executive Engineer, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Anantnag for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000/- for processing a power agreement case.

"Upon receiving the instant complaint, prima facie offence U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 was found made out. Consequently, a case FIR No. 07/2022 was registered in PS ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up," reads the statement.

During the course of the investigation, ACB caught technician red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of ₹25000/- from the complainant.

"He was arrested on the spot by the ACB team. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses," it said.

SRINAGAR — Two Junior Engineers (JEs) and an Inspector of Power Development Department (PDD) were trapped and arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) team at PDD office Tangmarg on Wednesday while taking a bribe of Rs. 2,60,000.

An official told KDC that the arrested three employees of PDD accepted the bribe from a person for the installation of an electric transformer for his Ice Cream factory, situated at Gofabal Kunzer.

The three arrested employees have been identified as JE Munshi Masood Ahmad, a resident of Hubbi Colony Sikh bagh Lalbazar; JE Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Watapora Qazipora Pothshahi Baramulla and Inspector Abdul Rashid Bhat, a resident of Wussan Bangil Kunzer.

However, it was also said that an FIR No. 12 of 2022 under relevant sections of law has been registered in the case and an investigation has been taken up.

BARAMULLA — ACB arrested Abdul Majid Bhat, Patwari, Halqa Goom, Ahmadpora, Tehsil Pattan, District Baramulla for demanding a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a complainant.

As per a statement, "Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint from the complainant alleging therein that Abdul Majid Bhat, Patwari, was demanding a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the complainant for preparing and providing of Revenue extracts required by the complainant."

The statement read, "The complainant stated that some 10 years back, he had purchased two kanals of land at Goom, Ahmadpora, Pattan but he could not prepare sale deed at that time, therefore about six months back complainant approached the Patwari Abdul Majid Bhat for Revenue extracts of the land but Patwari deliberately delayed the matter on one pretext or the other.”

“Finally, Patwari Bhat demanded Rs 10000 each for two separate extracts required for the execution of sale deed by the complainant in favour of his daughter and sister-in-law," it reads.

"Immediately upon receiving the complaint which prima facie discloses the commission of the offence, an FIR was registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla and investigations started," the statement said.

It further reads, "Subsequently, a trap team was constituted and accused Patwari was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe from the complainant in presence of independent witnesses. The accused was arrested on the spot and the bribe money was also recovered from his possession. Further investigations in the case are going on."