ACB chargesheets 10 in ₹7.12 lakh Kupwara bridge embezzlement case

SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday chargesheeted 10 persons, including two former executive engineers and a private contractor, in an alleged ₹7.12 lakh embezzlement and fraud case linked to the Lastiyal-Kalaroose bridge in Kupwara.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, an ACB spokesperson said the bureau has presented a chargesheet before the competent court against 10 accused persons, including nine public servants and one private contractor, in a case relating to alleged misappropriation of government store material, fraudulent release of a security deposit, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy in connection with the construction of a steel bridge at Lastiyal-Kalaroose, Kupwara.

The spokesperson said the case originated from an Open Verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organisation Kashmir into allegations of loss to the state exchequer by the beneficiary contractor in connivance with officials of the PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara.

Details of alleged irregularities

According to the spokesperson, investigation revealed that the bridge work was allotted to contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with stipulated completion within three months. The contractor commenced the work after considerable delay, executed only part of it and subsequently abandoned the project. Departmental store material comprising cement and steel remained unaccounted for or unrecovered, valued at approximately ₹5.63 lakh.

The spokesperson said investigation further revealed fraudulent release and encashment of the contractor’s CDR amounting to ₹73,000 on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority. The investigation also found alleged irregular release of Bill Deposits amounting to ₹81,400 despite outstanding government liabilities, besides lapses by engineering and accounts officials in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and ensuring recovery of government dues.

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“Thereby a total loss of Rs 7,12,150 to state exchequer was caused by accused public servants in connivance with contractor,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that after completion of the investigation, requisite sanction for prosecution against the in-service accused public servants was accorded by the competent authority.

Accused named

Based on oral, documentary, scientific and other evidence collected during the investigation, the following 10 persons were chargesheeted: 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; and Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone, private contractor/beneficiary.

The spokesperson said all 10 accused were presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, on Monday along with the chargesheet and were admitted to bail upon furnishing bail and surety bonds as directed by the court. The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing.