Srinagar, August 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 10 accused persons, including seven officers and officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and three private individuals, in connection with an alleged illegal and unauthorised construction in Batamaloo, Srinagar.
The chargesheet has been presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 06/2023 registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar.
According to the ACB, the case concerns alleged abuse of official position, criminal conspiracy and extending undue benefit to a private beneficiary in Ward No. 28 of Batamaloo.
The anti-corruption agency alleged that officers and officials associated with the ward entered into a criminal conspiracy with a private beneficiary, identified as Reyaz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Rahim Dar and a resident of Tengpora, Batamaloo.
The accused officials allegedly facilitated and permitted the construction of an illegal and unauthorised structure near Tiny Hearts School in Tengpora, in violation of applicable rules and regulations, the ACB said.
The investigation, carried out on the basis of oral and documentary evidence, allegedly substantiated the allegations against the accused public servants and private beneficiaries. The agency said it established a prima facie conspiracy between government functionaries and the private beneficiary, along with alleged abuse of official position and conferment of undue benefit.
The accused have been booked under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, Section 4-A of the Requisitioning and Development Act, and Section 9-A read with Section 20 of the Evacuees (Administration of Property) Act, 1949.
The ACB said the requisite government sanction for prosecution of the public servants was obtained before the chargesheet was submitted.
The matter has now been placed before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, for judicial determination. The accused will have the opportunity to contest the allegations before the competent court.
The chargesheet marks the latest action by the anti-corruption agency in a case involving alleged irregularities in permitting construction within Srinagar city.
