Srinagar, Mar 8: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir has charged seven people with embezzling government funds meant for a school in Kupwara’s Hampora Kralgund village under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme.
The chargesheet, filed in FIR 43/2018 before the Special Anti-Corruption Judge in Baramulla, invokes Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (conspiracy) of the Ranbir Penal Code, plus J&K’s Prevention of Corruption Act.
A complaint triggered the probe into Rs 5,73,592 released via cheques by the then Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Langate, funneled mostly through a primary school teacher. But the work fell short: only a school building went up—no kitchen, toilet, or ramp, despite funds allocated.
Investigators uncovered a conspiracy: officials bypassed SSA rules requiring Village Education Committee (VEC) execution, handing the contract to a favored firm. They altered the approved three-room plan with extras into a four-room double-storey for gain.
The contractor never handed over the building, and officials skipped possession—letting another accused illegally occupy it.
EOW Kashmir vows to keep cracking down on corruption to safeguard public money.
