The J&K Anti Corruption Bureau has arrested a Junior Engineer of R&B department accused of siphoning off over Rs 2.67 crore that cellular companies had paid as penalty for damaging roads.
An ACB spokesperson said the Junior Engineer, Hakeem Imtiyaz, posted in R&B Shopian was arrested for misappropriation of funds deposited by cellular company in lieu of damages caused to roads for laying of telephone cables.
“On the basis of a verification, ACB registered a case FIR No. 06/2020 (U/s 5(1) (c), 5 (d) (2) PC Act Svt. 2006 & 420, 468, 471 RPC r/w section 120-B RP) in Police Station ACB Anantnag. The instant case was registered by ACB during the verification on the allegations of misappropriation of funds received by the R &B Department in Shopian/ Handwara Districts,” the spokesperson said.
He added; “During the course of verification conducted prior to the registration of the case, huge amount of money to the tune of Rs 2,67,31,411/- was deposited by the Private cellular companies in the Arhama (Shopian) Branch of Axis Bank in the fake name of Assistant Engineer R&B Division Shopian opened by Junior Engineer Hakeem Imtiyaz posted at R&B Shopian in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy with Airtel/Reliance authorities and contractors.”
The amount, the ACB spokesperson added, was subsequently withdrawn by Junior Engineer Hakeem Imtiyaz and transferred it to his own personal account and into the account of one Niamat Ali (Niamat Electricals).
“It was revealed during probe that the R&B Department Shopian does not have any account in Axis Bank, and the said department operates only through J&K Bank. In the course of probe it was further revealed that these fraudulent transactions have been handiwork of the Junior Engineer, who in conspiracy with private cellar companies and contractors have inflicted huge loss to state exchequer,” the spokesperson said.
ACB conducted searches in the house of accused Junior Engineer (R&B Division Shopian) at Pinglan Pulwama, Contractor Niamat Ali at Chattabal Srinagar and the residence of the then Junior Engineer in Airtel Company Shahnawaz of Eidgah, during which various incriminating documents having bearing on the case were seized, the spokesperson said.
“Hakeem Imtiyaz, Junior Engineer was subsequently arrested by ACB. Further investigation of the case is going on,” he said.
