ACB charge-sheets officials in land, ration scam cases

Jammu Tawi: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu on Saturday produced charge-sheets in two major corruption cases before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu—one involving illegal transfer of state land in Nagrota and another related to fraudulent ration distribution in village Khandwal.

In the first case (FIR 09/2020), the ACB alleged that between 2016 and 2018, then Tehsildar Rajesh Kumar and Patwari Riaz Ahmed, in collusion with 31 beneficiaries, illegally transferred 196 kanals and 10 marlas of state land across villages Jagti, Nagrota, Dung, Marh, and Sitni. The fraudulent mutations, carried out in violation of Government Notifications LB-6/C of 1958 and S-432 of 1966, caused a wrongful loss of over ₹22 crore to the state exchequer. The matter has been transferred to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu for judicial determination.

In the second case (FIR 16/2011), the ACB charge-sheeted former Tehsil Supply Officer Bhajan Singh, Assistant Director Miraj-U-Din, Patwari Mohd Rashid, Panchayat members, and a former ration dealer for issuing subsidized ration to 188 non-existent BPL/AAY families in Khandwal between 2004 and 2010. Investigations revealed misappropriation of over 3,000 quintals of wheat, rice, and sugar, causing a financial loss of ₹30.33 lakh to the state.

The ACB statement said investigations confirmed sufficient evidence against all accused, who are now facing judicial proceedings.