Jammu, March 16: In a significant move signaling the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s renewed commitment to administrative accountability, authorities have ordered comprehensive disciplinary proceedings against Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra, a retired senior irrigation and flood control officer who served as In-charge Chief Engineer.
Malhotra, who began his career as Executive Engineer with the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Division-II in Jammu, faces serious allegations of misconduct and irregularities committed during his extensive tenure overseeing critical water management infrastructure projects across the region. The government order, issued by the General Administration Department, explicitly authorizes formal investigation processes that can pursue retired officers, bypassing traditional post-retirement immunity barriers.
Sources within the administration revealed that the probe stems from long-pending complaints regarding tender irregularities, project execution delays, and potential financial mismanagement in flood control and irrigation schemes under Malhotra’s supervision during his time as Executive Engineer. Specific allegations reportedly include award of contracts to favored firms, substandard embankment construction along the Tawi River, and failure to adhere to technical specifications in critical anti-flooding measures—a particularly sensitive issue given J&K’s vulnerability to seasonal flooding.
The decision marks a departure from past practices where retired officers often evaded departmental action due to procedural hurdles. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, the government retains powers to initiate major penalty proceedings against pensioners within specified time limits, including recovery of government losses and potential pension cuts. Legal experts note this case could set a precedent for pursuing over 50 similar pending cases against retired engineers across various departments.
Official spokespersons confirmed the Vigilance Department has been directed to constitute a formal inquiry committee comprising serving engineers, finance experts, and independent auditors to examine project records spanning Malhotra’s 15-year oversight period. The retired officer has been asked to submit his defense within 30 days, after which hearings will determine penalties ranging from censure to dismissal from service benefits.
This action aligns with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s administration’s broader anti-corruption push, coming weeks after similar proceedings against two retired PHE Department officers and the recent transfer-posting of 40 engineers amid audit objections. Critics within the engineering fraternity have welcomed the move as “long overdue cleansing,” while others caution against politically motivated targeting of retired personnel who cannot defend themselves effectively.
The I&FC Department, responsible for maintaining over 1,200 km of river embankments and critical water infrastructure serving Jammu division’s agriculture and urban needs, has faced repeated CAG criticism for execution lapses contributing to 2023’s devastating floods. Malhotra’s case underscores the government’s determination to recover public funds lost to alleged negligence as the region prepares for monsoon season.
As proceedings unfold, engineering unions have called for transparent investigations extending to serving officials, warning that selective targeting undermines morale. The outcome could significantly impact pension policies and accountability mechanisms for J&K’s 10,000-strong retired civil services cadre.
