ACB secures conviction in food grains misappropriation case involving former storekeepers of Pahalgam Circle; charge sheet presented against former BDO Kupwara in another case
Jammu, 20 April 2026: The Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court Anantnag, has convicted (1) Abdul Khaliq Shah S/o Mohd Abdullah Shah R/o Ashmuqam, then Storekeeper, Food Supplies Sale Centre Pahalgam and Laripora; (2) Ghulam Nabi Mir S/o Ghulam Mohd Mir R/o Ashmuqam, then Storekeeper, Food Supplies Sale Centre Dawatoo and Aru; (3) Mohd Shafi Rather S/o Ghulam Mohd R/o Devaroo, Pahalgam, then Storekeeper, Ashmuqam; (4) Ghulam Hassan Hajam S/o Ghulam Ahmad R/o Kathsoo, then Storekeeper, Food Supplies Sale Centre Kathsoo; and (5) Muzaffar Ahmad Bichoo S/o Ghulam Mohd Bichoo R/o Malaknag, Anantnag, then Storekeeper, Food Supplies Sale Centre Laripora and Pahalgam, in a misappropriation case.
In a significant verdict reinforcing the commitment to combating corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court Anantnag, Ms. Masarat Roohi, convicted the aforementioned accused persons in a case registered under FIR No. 09/1990 under Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, read with Section 409 RPC of Police Station VOK (now ACB).
The accused, who were serving as storekeepers in the Food and Supplies Department, Kashmir, Pahalgam Circle, were found guilty under Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act read with Section 409 RPC for misappropriation of food grains and empty bags during the period from April 1989 to 11 September 1989.
The case originated from a complaint filed by the Deputy Director, Food and Supplies Department, Srinagar, vide No. DFSK/Adm/SA-468 dated 02.11.1989, reporting embezzlement of food grains and empty bags amounting to ₹3,64,235.84 by the five accused persons. Subsequently, the case was registered at Police Station VOK (now ACB) on 07.06.1990.
After thorough investigation, the charge sheet was filed on 09 September 2003, and the case proceeded for judicial determination. On 20 April 2026, the Hon’ble Court, after appreciating the evidence on record, delivered the judgment convicting all five accused persons under Section 5(2) read with Section 409 RPC. The Court has listed the matter for arguments on quantum of punishment on 24.04.2026.
This conviction marks another milestone in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service.
In another case, ACB has presented a charge sheet against the then BDO Kupwara and four others in a misappropriation case.
The case originated from a complaint received through the ACB grievance portal on 19.07.2021 from Fayaz Ahmad R/o Halmatpora, District Kupwara, alleging embezzlement of funds meant for execution of developmental works by officials of Block Kupwara.
Investigation revealed that the accused public servants—Abdul Majeed Ganie (then BDO Kupwara), Bashir Ahmad Mir (then Junior Assistant), and Sajad Ahmad Dar (then MISO/GRS)—in connivance with private beneficiaries Zakir Hussain Pir and Gowher Yaqoob Khan, entered into a criminal conspiracy and fraudulently siphoned off government funds by manipulating official records and fabricating electronic data.
The accused generated and authenticated fraudulent Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs), facilitating diversion of funds into unauthorized bank accounts, including those of relatives and associates. The investigation also uncovered instances of double drawal, fraudulent payments for non-existent works, and illegal routing of labour payments through job card holders, followed by misappropriation.
During the investigation, it also emerged that official records related to the works under probe were deliberately destroyed or withheld, and crucial electronic evidence, including Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs), was not produced, indicating attempts to screen the offence.
By abusing their official positions, the accused caused wrongful loss to the State exchequer amounting to ₹4,86,170 and corresponding unlawful gain to themselves and their associates. Accordingly, offences punishable under Sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, along with Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, and 120-B RPC, have been established.
Upon completion of the investigation, the charge sheet in FIR No. 11/2021 has been presented before the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination against three public servants and two private beneficiaries.(KINS)
