Srinagar, May 04: Government has decided to ask Crime Branch of J&K Police and Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the case of JKPCC chief Vikar Mustafa Shonthu, who was regularized despite his long unauthorized absence.
Following a report by the Fact Finding Committee into various aspects of Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corp (JKPCC), the government has decided to hand over to the Crime Branch of JK Police the matter relating to the manner in which the unauthorised long absence of Vikar Mustafa Shonthu was regularized, an official press release informed Saturday.
As the matter is a serious one, the government has also decided to refer this matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough investigation and action.
“This is a major step of the government in cleaning up the functioning of JKPCC by stopping and eliminating backdoor appointments and rule violation and bringing in a culture of transparency and probity in the organization,” the press release said.
Earlier, after receiving numerous complaints from many quarters about the functioning of JKPCC, particularly relating to corruption in civil contracts, illegality in appointments at multiple levels including at very senior positions, the government appointed a Fact Finding Committee to look into all these complaints.
Based on the report of the said committee chaired by the Principal Secretary (Planning), the government had handed over the investigation of all works executed or contracted out by the JKPCC after the issuance of the government order of November, 2015 to the Crime Branch of Police (Srinagar).
“The appointment of Vikar Mustafa Shonthu as Managing Director which was seen as ab initio illegal, was also referred to the Crime Branch immediately for lodging an FIR and taking further action,” it said.
The Fact Finding Committee had been asked to separately look into the irregularities regarding the manner in which the unauthorised long absence of Shonthu was overlooked and regularised, and submit a supplementary report fixing responsibility on individuals for any violations/irregularities.
Based on the committee’s report, the government has decided to hand over this matter also to the Crime Branch to examine and inquire into all the irregularities in the unauthorised absence of Shonthu from JKPCC and JKTDC, “the manner in which it was overlooked and take action as per law against the individuals.”
The Crime Branch has also been directed to examine the role of the Chairman and MD of JKPCC and the Administrative Secretaries in the matter and take action as per law.
