Shivam Bakshi
Jammu, Aug 31 (NVI) The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against a former junior assistant for allegedly misappropriating 256.40 quintals of rice and cooking costs under the Mid Day Meal scheme, causing a loss of over Rs 12.65 lakh to the state exchequer, officials said on Monday.
The chargesheet was filed against Mohd Farooq, then junior assistant and dealing hand for the Mid Day Meal scheme in the office of the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Manjakote, they said.
The case was registered on December 28, 2018, following a verification that had revealed the alleged misappropriation of around 200 quintals of rice meant for the fourth quarter of 2014-15 under the Mid Day Meal scheme in Manjakote zone, the ACB said.
During investigation, it was found that Farooq and then ZEO Manjakote Shah Nawaz Khan, who has since died, allegedly prepared fake and fabricated indents and authority letters by manipulating official records, in connivance with storekeeper Mumtaz Hussain, officials said.
Scrutiny of records and an opinion from the Forensic Science Laboratory established prima facie that 256.40 quintals of rice valued at Rs 8,03,557.60 and Rs 4,61,578 in cooking costs were allegedly misappropriated, they said.
The total loss to the state exchequer was assessed at Rs 12,65,135.60, the ACB said.
The chargesheet was filed under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act and the Ranbir Penal Code relating to criminal misconduct, forgery, use of forged documents, destruction or falsification of records and criminal conspiracy.
As the then ZEO had died, prosecution sanction was obtained for the in-service accused, Farooq, the officials said.
The chargesheet was produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Rajouri, on Monday. The court has fixed September 29 as the next date of hearing.—(NVI)
