Srinagar, Mar 12: Imagine pulling off a scam so bold that you invent jobs out of thin air, forge official papers, and siphon crores from the government treasury—all while real healthcare workers in remote corners of Kashmir grind away. That’s exactly what a web of corrupt officials and fake employees did in the Health Department, and now the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir under Crime Branch J&K has slammed the door shut with a massive chargesheet.
In a detailed statement, the EOW announced they’ve filed charges in FIR No. 07/2013 before the Special Anti-Corruption Judge in Baramulla. The 17 accused face serious charges under Sections 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (forgery offenses), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the RPC, plus Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
It all traces back to a shady tweak in Government Order No. 235-HME of 2010, dated April 19. The scam kicked off when the Deputy Director Health Services (HQR) Kashmir flagged fishy “insertions” in the order—basically, crooks conspired to fake the creation of new posts in the Medical Block Bandipora.
Digging deeper, investigators uncovered a slick operation: Department insiders, doctors, and beneficiaries cooked up phony transfer and appointment orders. These were used to slot unqualified folks into ghost positions at PHC Chuntimullah, PHC Ashtangoo, SDH Bandipora, and PHC Sheikhpora Gurez—places serving some of Kashmir’s toughest terrains.
The payoff? These fraudsters drew full salaries and even pocketed arrears from the 6th Pay Commission, bleeding the state exchequer dry to the tune of crores in wrongful losses. While patients in Bandipora waited for care, these ghosts cashed checks.
The hit list of 17 includes heavy hitters: a Chief Medical Officer, a Block Medical Officer, several doctors and medical officers, a senior assistant, office/dealing assistants from the Health Department, and 12 “beneficiary” employees who rode the fake job gravy train.
After a thorough probe that connected the dots on the conspiracy, forgery, and money trail, the EOW wrapped it up and handed the chargesheet to the court for trial. It’s a stark reminder of how corruption can hollow out public services, especially in health—where every diverted rupee means less for the people who need it most.
Authorities say this case should serve as a warning: No one’s above the law, and they’re cracking down hard on such betrayals of public trust.
