Srinagar, Oct 22: High Court on Monday directed Vigilance Organization of Kashmir (VoK) to expose the names of Handwara officials who have been booked for their alleged fraudulent in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department in Handwara division.
Earlier, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by Journalist Javaid Zargar in the year 2014 16-2014, accusing the PHE division Handwara of supplying impure water to the inhabitants.
The High Court had taken strict notice over the PIL and had directed the department to suspend 16 officials till the investigations are over.
The hearing of the PIL was today which was heard by Chief Justice Gitta Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe.
The court directed the VoK to expose the names of the officials who according to the vigilance have been booked for their alleged fraudulence in the department.
The court also directed the VoK to gear up the investigation of a case under number 13-2018 and asked it to fill the status report before the case ahead of the next hearing fixed on 27 November, 2018.
The Chief Justice also fined Rs 5000 each to PHE Handwara, Health department Handwara, pollution control board, fisheries department, Horticulture and Geology and Mining for failing to file status report before the court till 31-05-2018.
Meanwhile, the court has also asked the petitioner to guide the court for the benefit of people. The court has asked the petitioner to remain present on next hearing and guide the court in this regard.
Senior Advocate Aijaz Ahmad Chasti is pleading the case of petitioner, who highlighted the points before the court on the hearing.
Meanwhile, as per the sources, the PHE division Handwara has not investigated the matter properly and has reinstated the officials who were earlier suspended in this regard.
The department has also awarded prize postings to the officials who were suspended earlier, the reliable sources. (KNS)
