Srinagar, Jun 24 (NVI): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against a former Block Development Officer (BDO), an Executive Engineer and five others in connection with an alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Wednesday.
The chargesheet was presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in connection with FIR No. 02/2020 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla, they said.
According to the ACB, the case pertains to alleged corruption, criminal conspiracy, forgery and misappropriation of funds in development works executed through the Rural Development Department in the Lolab and Lalpora areas of Kupwara.
The investigation allegedly revealed irregularities in projects, including the construction of a Sarband at Margi Diver (Kariwan) Phase-I and a Fisheries Pond at Diver-B.
Officials said the probe found instances of false measurements, billing for work not executed, construction on forest land without permission and release of payments for deficient and substandard works.
The accused have been identified as former BDO Sogam/Lalpora Mohammad Sultan Bhat, then Executive Engineer REW Kupwara Surinder Kumar Sharma, Assistant Executive Engineer Mohammad Shafi Bukhari, Junior Engineers Taimur Ahmad Khan and Nisar Ahmad Khan, Village Level Worker and Panchayat Secretary Mohammad Saleem Dar, and contractor Waseem Mehmood Khan.
The ACB alleged that the accused, in connivance with the contractor, manipulated official records, inflated measurements and facilitated fraudulent release of government funds, causing loss to the state exchequer.
All the accused were produced before the court and were granted bail on personal bonds. The next hearing has been scheduled for August 25, 2026, officials added.(NVI)
