SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, In-charge Storekeeper at the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS\&CA), following allegations of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
According to the ACB, Bhat, son of Abdul Rashid Bhat and a resident of Tarzoo Sopore (currently residing at Sidiq Colony Noorabad Bypass Sopore, District Baramulla), was appointed as a Depot Assistant in the CAPD Department in 1998. While posted as Storekeeper at various locations in Baramulla between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016, he allegedly accumulated a range of immovable and movable assets in his own name and in the names of his family members.
During the period under scrutiny, Bhat purchased one kanal of land at Estate Ranbir Garh Pratap Garh, Mirgund in 2008; another kanal of land at Noorabad Bypass, Nowpora Kalan Sopore in 2010; and seven marlas of land (Plot No. 240 A, Bay 04, 38’x50’) at Rakh Arath Housing Colony, Bemina Srinagar in 2014. He also constructed a double-storey residential house on the Bemina plot between 2014 and 2016. In 2013, he purchased a Maruti-800 (JK05B-6670) from Jamkash Vehicleades, Sangrama Baramulla, and a Scooty (Aviator) bearing registration number JK05D-4662 from JK Stationers, M.A. Road Srinagar.
The verification further revealed substantial cash deposits in the bank accounts of the accused and his family members during the check period, which are now under investigation.
As the assets and expenditures were found to be grossly disproportionate to Bhat’s known legal income, and he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, a case was registered against him.
Following the registration of the case, search warrants were obtained from the Hon’ble Anti-Corruption Court in Baramulla, and multiple searches were conducted at locations linked to the accused. Various incriminating materials relevant to the investigation were seized in the presence of magistrates.
Further investigation is underway.