The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) initiated a probe into a case of alleged misappropriation of funds involving key officials of the Municipal Committee Shopian and others.
The case into inflated consumption of fuel was registered on Wednesday, highlighting concerns over potential financial irregularities within the municipal administration.
According to ACB spokesperson, the case revolves around accusations of criminal misappropriation against individuals including Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Shopian, Ghulam Rasool Mir, Khilafwarzi Officer, Naseer Ahmad Indrabi, Head Assistant, Showkat Hussain Teli, Works Supervisor, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, Driver, and several others.
The allegations are brought under various sections of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act Svt 2006 and section 120-B of the RPC.
“During the course of verification, it surfaced that the Municipal Committee Shopian had purchased one Ashoka Leyland BS-IV Tipper from GeM Portal in the year 2018 against which they had issued fuel of 11,051 litres from January 2018 to 31st March 2020 by inflating the figures of fuel consumption,” the spokesperson stated.
The investigation revealed discrepancies in the reported fuel consumption of the Tipper, with the Committee allegedly inflating consumption figures. “The said Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Shopian constituted a committee which had fixed fuel consumption of 11 litres per hour against the said Tipper, whereas, the same during verification was computed only 3 litres per hour as per the opinion of the Mechanical Engineering Department,” the spokesperson further stated. This alleged discrepancy resulted in the misuse and abuse of official positions, with an estimated 8 litres of fuel per hour being misappropriated by those in charge.
The misappropriation extended beyond inflated fuel consumption records. “Besides, against an already grounded Tipper, the committee had also illegally issued fuel measuring 3566 litres from February 2018 to March 2020 causing misappropriation of funds amounting to several lakhs,” the spokesperson maintained.
Following the registration of the case, the Bureau conducted searches at the residential premises of the accused located at various locations including Bemina Srinagar, Frestbal Pampore, Puchal Pulwama, Batpora Shopian, and Hargam Shopian. During these searches, crucial documents pertinent to the investigation were seized. The ACB emphasized that the investigation into the case is ongoing, indicating a commitment to uncovering the truth behind the allegations of financial wrongdoing.
