Crime Branch files charge-sheet in ₹19.20 crore ration scam

JAMMU — The Crime Branch has filed a charge-sheet against 13 former officers including the then nine Assistant Directors (ADs), two Chief Account Officers (CAOs), and two Tehsil Supply Officers (TSOs) in a major ration scam case of Jammu rural in which huge BPL/AAY ration weighing 4,39,503.21 quintals worth rupees 19.20 crores was misappropriated during the year 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006.

According to the news agency ANB, the FIR was lodged with the Crime Branch by the Department of CA&PD in pursuance of the CAG report in which the audit para was raised.

After conducting departmental reconciliation, four senior investigating officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police conducted an in-depth investigation into this case of a big ration scam, offences have been proved against the accused and hence final report was filed in the court.

The modus operandi of the accused had been that BPL and AAY food grains, much in excess of the authorized quantity of ration for BPL and AAY families, were issued without any justification and money obtained by means of misappropriation of ration was swindled.

Of the 13 accused, seven passed away, one was bailed out and one surrendered before the court, whereas the rest four were arrested and produced before the court of law at the time of submission of the charge-sheet.

Pertinently, similar ration misappropriation was also committed during the year 2004, which was investigated and challaned by the ACB.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Crime Jammu, Benam Tosh confirmed that the investigation of case FIR No. 21/2009 under sections 409, 420 120-B RPC read with 5(2) P.C. Act, Police Station Crime Branch Jammu has been completed and chargesheet against 13 former officers of CA&PD Department and Accounts Department has been filed in the Ld. Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu for judicial determination.