Srinagar: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), UT of Jammu & Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against two retired public servants for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement and misappropriation of Government store material worth ₹ 2,13,16,362/- in the then PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora. The charge-sheet has been filed against Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, then Senior Assistant/Storekeeper, and Mukhtar Ahmad Mir, then In-charge Executive Engineer, PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora, for offences punishable under Sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, and Sections 409 and 120-B RPC.
II. The case originated from source information alleging large-scale embezzlement of Government store material procured by the PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora, during the financial year 2011-12. An open verification conducted by the then Vigilance Organization Kashmir revealed shortages and deficiencies in store material, leading to the registration of the case and initiation of a detailed investigation, which revealed that the accused public servants, while entrusted with the custody, management and supervision of Government stores, entered into a criminal conspiracy and dishonestly misappropriated substantial quantities of GI Pipes, Union GI Pipes, QCC Pipes and TOR Steel (TMT Bars). While the loss detected during the initial verification was assessed at Rs. 65.11 lakh, detailed investigation established the actual loss to the Government at Rs. 2,13,16,362/-.
III. Investigation established that Bashir Ahmad Sheikh continued to function as Storekeeper and retained control of the Divisional Stores even after his retirement, with the knowledge and permission of Mukhtar Ahmad Mir, who also failed to ensure proper supervision and mandatory verification of stores. The investigation further revealed serious violations of the Jammu & Kashmir Financial Code governing Government stores, and physical verification coupled with record reconciliation established substantial shortages of store material, resulting in a huge loss to the State exchequer.
IV. The investigation concluded that the accused public servants, in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy and by abusing their official positions, dishonestly misappropriated Government property and caused corresponding wrongful loss of Rs. 2,13,16,362/- to the State exchequer. The accused persons were produced before the Hon’ble Court, which admitted them to bail upon furnishing personal bail bonds. The next date of hearing has been fixed for 05-09-2026.
V. The Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K, remains steadfast in its commitment to combating corruption and upholding accountability, and will continue to take stringent action against all acts of embezzlement, misappropriation, and misuse of public funds and assets.
