ACB files chargesheet against 10 in ₹7.12 lakh embezzlement case in Kupwara
SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a charge-sheet against 10 accused persons, including nine public servants and a private contractor, in connection with the alleged embezzlement of government store material and fraudulent release of security deposits related to the Lastiyal–Kalaroose bridge in Kupwara.
The accused include former Executive Engineers Mohammad Sultan Sheikh and Ajit Singh Chopra, along with other engineering and accounts officials of the PWD(R&B) Division, Kupwara.
According to the ACB, the case stems from an open verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organisation Kashmir into allegations of financial loss to the government exchequer due to alleged connivance between the contractor and departmental officials.
The bridge construction work was allotted to contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with a stipulated completion period of three months. However, the contractor allegedly started the work after considerable delay, completed only part of it and subsequently abandoned the project.
During the investigation, government store material, including cement and steel, valued at around Rs 5.63 lakh, was allegedly found unaccounted for or unrecovered.
The ACB further alleged that the contractor’s cash deposit receipt (CDR) of Rs 73,000 was fraudulently released and encashed on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority.
Besides this, Bill Deposits amounting to Rs 81,400 were allegedly released despite outstanding government liabilities. The investigation also pointed to alleged lapses by engineering and accounts officials in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and recovering government dues.
The alleged acts resulted in a total loss of Rs 7.12 lakh to the state exchequer, the ACB said.
The charge-sheet has been filed against Abdul Majeed Malik, Ghulam Rasool Lone, Mohammad Sultan Sheikh, Er. Ajit Singh Chopra, Er. Nazir Ahmad Shah, Er. Abdul Rashid Dar, Er. Manzoor Ahmad Sumji, Gh. Qadir Bhat, Abdul Hamid Dar and contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone.
After completion of the investigation and obtaining the requisite sanction for prosecution against the serving public servants, the ACB presented the charge-sheet before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, on Monday.
All 10 accused were produced before the court and were admitted to bail after furnishing bail and surety bonds as directed by the court.
The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing. — (KIMS)
