SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday said it has filed a chargesheet against two retired public servants for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement and misappropriation of government store material worth over ₹2.13 crore in the erstwhile PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora.
According to an ACB statement, the chargesheet was filed before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, then Senior Assistant/Storekeeper and Mukhtar Ahmad Mir then In-charge Executive Engineer, PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora.
The accused have been chargesheeted under Sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, and Sections 409 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The case originated from source information alleging large-scale embezzlement of government store material procured by the PHE (Hydraulic) Division, Bandipora, during the financial year 2011-12.
The ACB said an open verification conducted by the then Vigilance Organization Kashmir revealed shortages and deficiencies in government stores, leading to the registration of the case and a detailed investigation.
The investigation found that the accused, while entrusted with the custody, management and supervision of government stores, allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy and dishonestly misappropriated substantial quantities of GI pipes, Union GI pipes, QCC pipes and TOR steel (TMT bars).
While the initial verification had assessed the loss at ₹65.11 lakh, the detailed investigation established the actual loss to the government exchequer at ₹2,13,16,362, the statement said.
According to the ACB, Bashir Ahmad Sheikh continued to function as Storekeeper and retained control of the divisional stores even after his retirement with the knowledge and permission of Mukhtar Ahmad Mir, who allegedly failed to ensure proper supervision and mandatory verification of stores.
The investigation also revealed serious violations of the Jammu and Kashmir Financial Code governing government stores, while physical verification and record reconciliation established substantial shortages of store material, resulting in significant loss to the State exchequer.
The ACB said the investigation concluded that both accused, in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy and by abusing their official positions, dishonestly misappropriated government property and caused wrongful loss to the State.
The accused were produced before the court and admitted to bail after furnishing personal bonds. The next date of hearing has been fixed for September 5, 2026. — (KIMS)