Srinagar, Aug 10 (NVI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday filed a chargesheet against 10 people, including two former executive engineers and a private contractor, in connection with an alleged Rs 7.12 lakh embezzlement case related to the construction of a steel bridge in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The accused include nine public servants and a private contractor, the ACB said in a statement.
The case pertains to alleged misappropriation of government store material, fraudulent release of a security deposit, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy in connection with the Lastiyal-Kalaroose bridge in Kupwara.
According to the ACB, the bridge work was allotted to contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with the project scheduled to be completed within three months.
The contractor allegedly started the work after a considerable delay, executed only part of it and subsequently abandoned the project, leaving departmental store material, including cement and steel, unaccounted for. The value of the material was assessed at around Rs 5.63 lakh, it said.
The investigation also found that the contractor’s cash deposit receipt (CDR) of Rs 73,000 was allegedly released and encashed fraudulently on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent authority.
Besides, bill deposits amounting to Rs 81,400 were allegedly released despite outstanding government liabilities, the ACB said.
The agency alleged that lapses by engineering and accounts officials in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and recovering government dues resulted in a total loss of Rs 7,12,150 to the state exchequer.
The chargesheet was filed before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, after completion of the investigation and obtaining the requisite sanction for prosecution against serving public servants, the ACB said.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Majeed Malik, Ghulam Rasool Lone, Mohammad Sultan Sheikh (retired), Ajit Singh Chopra (retired), Nazir Ahmad Shah (retired), Abdul Rashid Dar (retired), Manzoor Ahmad Sumji, Gh Qadir Bhat (retired), Abdul Hamid Dar and private contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone.
All 10 accused were produced before the court on Monday along with the chargesheet and were granted bail after furnishing bail and surety bonds as directed by the court.
The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing, the ACB said.(NVI)
