Srinagar: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it registered a case against ARTO Kupwara and three other officials while Rs 15 lakh cash and various incriminating material have been seized.
In a statement here, the ACB said following an allegation that ARTO Kupwara has planted one person — Bilal Ahmad Sheikh of Vilgam Kupwara — to run all the affairs of his office, a surprise check was conducted at the site of driving test (Nagri Kupwara).
“During check accused Bilal Ahmad Sheikh was found actively involved in conducting the driving tests with the officials of Assistant Regional Transport Office, Kupwara,” it said.
The ACB said that the search of personal car (JK01R-4373) of Bilal Ahmad Sheikh at the site led to the recovery of 138 original driving licences besides various other incriminating material like provisional appointment slips for driving tests, application reference slips, application for addition of new class of vehicle, journey sheets of vehicles, transport plans, learners licence, and handwritten details regarding tests held on August 04, 2021, etc.
Consequently, a case (FIR No.09/2021) has been registered in police station ACB Baramulla under section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and section 120-B of Indian Penal Code against Mukhtar Ahmad Sofi (Assistant Regional Transport Officer Kupwara), Khursheed Ahmad Kanna (Motor Vehicle Inspector), Abdul Hamid Bhat (Motor Vehicle Inspector) and Bilal Ahmad Sheikh (private agent) for improper performance of public duty in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy, the ACB statement reads.
THE ACB also said that during subsequent searches at the residential premises of the ARTO Mukhtar Ahmad Sofi at Nowshera Boniyar Baramulla, and Bilal Ahmad Sheikh (agent) at Vilgam Kupwara, Rs 15 lakh cash and various incriminating material have been recovered. The investigation is going on.” the ACB statement said.
