Jammu, Oct 23: In a major success for anti-graft efforts, the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Pulwama, Dr. Noor Mohammad Mir, delivered a significant judgment in a long-pending corruption case, convicting Sonaullah Wani, then Junior Engineer in the Rural Development Department, for forgery and corruption.
The case, registered under FIR number 24/2000 at Police Station Vigilance Organization Kashmir (now Anti-Corruption Bureau), pertained to offences under Sections 420, 467, and 471 of the RPC read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006.
Investigations revealed that the accused had forged his matriculation certificate and service book, fraudulently changing his date of birth from June 8, 1940, to June 8, 1945, thereby overstaying in government service for 21 months. During this period, he drew undue salary amounting to ₹2,62,760, causing an equivalent loss to the state exchequer.
Expert analysis by the Forensic Science Laboratory, Srinagar, confirmed the forgery of signatures and seals, while verification from the J&K Board of School Education established the accused’s actual date of birth. The Vigilance Organization Kashmir (now ACB) successfully proved the case through documentary, expert, and oral evidence.
After a full trial, the court convicted Wani, sentencing him to seven years of simple imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹3,52,760. The court further directed his lodgement at Central Jail Srinagar.
The judgment has been hailed as a strong message against corruption and misconduct in public service. The Anti-Corruption Bureau reiterated its resolve to bring to justice all individuals who misuse their official positions for personal gain, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity in public administration across Jammu and Kashmir.
