Jammu: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday secured the conviction of five former storekeepers of the Food and Supplies Department in a decades-old food grains misappropriation case pertaining to Pahalgam circle, while in a separate case, it presented a charge-sheet against the then Block Development Officer (BDO) Kupwara and four others for alleged embezzlement of government funds.
In the first case, the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Anantnag, presided over by Ms Masarat Roohi, convicted five former storekeepers for misappropriation of food grains and empty bags during 1989.
Those convicted include Abdul Khaliq Shah of Ashmuqam, then storekeeper at Food Supplies Sale Centres Pahalgam and Laripora; Ghulam Nabi Mir of Ashmuqam, then storekeeper at Dawatoo and Aru; Mohammad Shafi Rather of Devaroo, Pahalgam, then storekeeper at Ashmuqam; Ghulam Hassan Hajam of Kathsoo, then storekeeper at Kathsoo; and Muzaffar Ahmad Bichoo of Malaknag, Anantnag, then storekeeper at Laripora and Pahalgam.
The case was registered under FIR No. 09/1990 under Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act read with Section 409 RPC at the then Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir, now ACB.
According to the prosecution, the accused, while serving in the Food and Supplies Department in Pahalgam circle, misappropriated food grains and empty bags between April 1989 and September 11, 1989.
The case originated from a complaint filed by the Deputy Director, Food and Supplies Department, Srinagar, on November 2, 1989. The complaint alleged embezzlement of food grains and empty bags worth Rs 3,64,235.84 by the five accused officials.
Following investigation, the case was formally registered on June 7, 1990. After completion of investigation, the charge-sheet was filed on September 9, 2003.
After hearing the case and examining the evidence, the court on April 20 convicted all five accused under Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act read with Section 409 RPC. The matter has now been listed for arguments on the quantum of punishment on April 24.
The conviction is being seen as a significant development in the ACB’s efforts to pursue long-pending corruption cases and ensure accountability in public service.
