SRINAGAR, Aug 10 : The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet against 10 persons, including nine public servants and a private contractor, in connection with alleged misappropriation of government store material and financial irregularities in the construction of the Lastiyal–Kalaroose steel bridge in Kupwara.
The charge-sheet was presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, on Monday.
The case pertains to alleged embezzlement of government material, fraudulent release of a security deposit, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy, allegedly causing a loss of approximately ₹7.12 lakh to the state exchequer.
According to the ACB investigation, the bridge work was allotted to private 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 the assigned work and subsequently abandoned the project.
The investigation found that government store material, including cement and steel issued for the project, remained unaccounted for and was not recovered. The value of the unrecovered material was assessed at around ₹5.63 lakh, resulting in a loss to the government.
The ACB further alleged that the contractor’s Contract Deposit Receipt (CDR) amounting to ₹73,000 was fraudulently released and encashed on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority.
Investigators also found alleged irregularities in the release of Bill Deposits amounting to ₹81,400, despite outstanding government liabilities. The officials concerned were allegedly negligent in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and ensuring recovery of dues from the contractor.
The ACB stated that the alleged acts and omissions of the accused, carried out in connivance with the private contractor, resulted in a total loss of approximately ₹7,12,150 to the state exchequer.
10 Persons Chargesheeted
The accused charge-sheeted by the ACB are :
– Abdul Majeed Malik — then Helper/Assistant Cashier, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Ghulam Rasool Lone — then Cashier/Senior Assistant, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Mohammad Sultan Sheikh (Retd.) — then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Er. Ajit Singh Chopra (Retd.) — then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Er. Nazir Ahmad Shah (Retd.) — then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Er. Abdul Rashid Dar (Retd.) — then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Er. Manzoor Ahmad Sumji — then Junior Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Gh. Qadir Bhat (Retd.) — then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Abdul Hamid Dar — then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
– Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone — private contractor/beneficiary
The ACB said the case originated from an Open Verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organization Kashmir following allegations of loss to the government exchequer in connection with the bridge project.
After completion of the investigation, the requisite sanction for prosecution against the serving public servants was obtained from the competent authority. The charge-sheet has been filed on the basis of oral, documentary, scientific and other evidence collected during the investigation.
All 10 accused were produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, along with the charge-sheet. The court admitted them to bail after they furnished the requisite bail and surety bonds as directed.
The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing.
The allegations contained in the charge-sheet are subject to determination by the competent court, and all accused are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in accordance with law.
