Health Educator Recruitment Scam Busted in Kashmir, Senior Official Arrested

Srinagar, May 5: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Tuesday cracked a recruitment fraud case in the Health Department and arrested a senior official for allegedly facilitating fake appointments, officials said.

According to a spokesperson, the action was taken in connection with FIR No. 19/2017 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 RPC at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir (now EOW Kashmir). The accused, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a Senior Assistant in the Health Department and resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, was arrested for his involvement in the case.

The case originated from a communication by the Deputy Director Health Services Kashmir, which revealed that one Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Mazhama Budgam had fraudulently secured appointment as a Health Educator using forged transfer orders and a fabricated Last Pay Certificate.

Investigations found that the accused had illegally entered service at Block Sheeri Baramulla and drew salary, causing wrongful loss to the state exchequer.

Officials further said that Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir is a habitual offender and his involvement has surfaced in multiple similar cases, some of which are under investigation or have already been charge-sheeted. Further probe into the case is underway.