‘Microscope Purchase Scam’:
All accused convicted and sentenced by Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court, Jammu: ACB
Jammu, May 31 (KINS): Anti Corruption Bureau said on Friday that the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu, convicted all five accused in the infamous “microscope purchase scam involving sub-standard and overpriced scientific equipment bought by the School Education Department Jammu in 2004–05”.
Anti Corruption Bureau in a statement issued to news agency KINS said that the case, registered under FIR No. 10/2005 by Police Station Vigilance Organization Jammu (now ACB), pertained to the procurement of dissection microscopes instead of the technically required instruments for examining mineral properties.
“The investigation revealed that public servants, in criminal conspiracy with the supplier, abused their official positions and manipulated tender conditions in gross violation of the norms set by the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT).The bulk procurement of inappropriate equipment led to substantial wrongful loss to the state exchequer and undue financial gain to both the officials and the supplier”.
“Based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court found the following individuals guilty:Jatinder Kumar, then Administrative Officer, Directorate of School Education, Jammu, Rameshwar Kumar Sharma, then Lecturer in Geology, SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu (Expert)
Balwan Singh, then Lecturer in Geology, SIE Jammu (Expert)
Balbir Singh Jamwal, then Chief Education Officer (CEO), Udhampur
Jaswinder Singh Manocha, Proprietor, M/s Cosmopolitan Traders, Jammu (supplier)”
“The Court held them guilty under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 and Section 120-B RPC (criminal conspiracy). All the accused were sentenced to: Two years of simple imprisonment under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, and
One year of simple imprisonment under Section 120-B RPC.
Both sentences will run concurrently”.
“Additionally, a fine of 25,000 was imposed on each of the four convicted public servants. The supplier, Jaswinder Singh Manocha, was fined 1,00,000. In case of default in payment of fines, the accused will undergo an additional three months of simple imprisonment”.(KINS)
ACB traps and arrests Patwari in Anantnag for accepting 10,000 Bribe
Anantnag, May 31(KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday trapped and arrested Patwari Halqa Lukbhawn Larkipora, Tehsil Dooru, District Anantnag, for “demanding and accepting a bribe of 10,000”.
According to an official statement issued to news agency KINS, the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the complainant had submitted an application to the Tehsil Office, Dooru, requesting permission to cut/prune branches of a Chinar tree located near his residence.
The branches, due to strong winds, posed a serious threat to life and property.
“The Tehsil Office subsequently forwarded the application to Patwari Halqa Lukbhawn Larkipora for a field report. However, when the complainant approached the Patwari, he allegedly demanded a bribe of 10,000 in exchange for submitting a favourable report.Refusing to succumb to the illegal demand, the complainant approached the ACB and filed a formal complaint”.
“Following preliminary verification, which substantiated the bribery allegation, FIR No. 01/2025 was registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 at Police Station ACB Anantnag, and an investigation was launched”.
“A trap team was constituted, and in a successful operation, the Patwari was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
Subsequently, a search operation was conducted at the residential premises of the accused Patwari in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses,” the ACB said.
The investigation in the case is ongoing, and further legal action is being taken in accordance with the law.(KINS)
