ACB files two FIRs in Hokersar dredging scam, illegal construction case on Boulevard
Two Executive Engineers, One AEE Taken into Custody; SSP Javid Hassan Bhat Says Investigations Uncover Major Irregularities
Srinagar, Apr 19: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday said it has filed two separate cases concerning large-scale irregularities in the dredging of Hokersar Wetland and illegal construction permissions issued by the erstwhile Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA).
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) ACB, Javaid Hassan Bhat, said that three officials — two former Executive Engineers and an Assistant Executive Engineer of the Flood Spill Channel Division, Narbal — have been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the dredging scam.
SSP Bhat said the ACB Police Station Srinagar registered an FIR following a Joint Surprise Check (JSC No. 17/2020), which investigated allegations of misconduct during the Hokersar Wetland dredging project.
The probe revealed serious lapses involving public officials and the private contractor, M/S Reach Dredging Limited. According to SSP Bhat, tenders were floated under NIT No. 01 of 2018-19, dated July 7, 2018, for the construction of a channel across Hokersar. The contract, worth Rs 20.55 crore, was awarded with a clear clause prohibiting dumping of dredged material within the wetland’s periphery.
“Despite significant deviations from the original work parameters and issuing a Letter of Intent (LoI), the contract was executed as per the original tender quantities, lacking clarity on dumping and disposal of excavated material,” SSP Bhat said.
He added that the investigation found manipulated transportation leads (ranging from 8 to 18 km) had been clubbed, leading to undue payments and false claims. The irregularities resulted in a financial loss of approximately Rs 2.29 crore to the State exchequer and caused ecological damage to the wetland.
The public officials identified in the case include Siraj-ud-Din Shah and Ghulam Ahmad Beigh, both former Executive Engineers, and Irfan Ahmad Reshi, the then AEE of the Flood Spill Channel Division, Narbal. The trio, in alleged collusion with the contractor, are accused of abusing their positions to facilitate financial losses.
Based on these findings, FIR No. 07/2025 was registered under Sections 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B RPC. The trio has been taken into custody, and the ACB is seeking further remand.
In a separate case, the SSP said that the ACB registered FIR No. 08/2025 following verification (SLK-12/2017) prompted by a complaint from the Intizamia Committee of Masjid Shareef, Gagribal Boulevard. The complaint alleged illegal construction by Iftikhar Sadiq, son of Rafiq Sadiq, on approximately 12 kanals of custodian land at Gagribal.
The verification revealed a criminal conspiracy involving officials from LAWDA, the Town Planning Organization, and the Custodian Department. Sadiq is accused of constructing multi-storey hostel buildings in violation of the J&K Building By-Laws 2011, which mandate a minimum of 3 kanals per hostel for 50 students.
SSP Bhat said that although permission was initially granted for three hostel structures, further permissions were granted illegally for two additional buildings. “These constructions deviate grossly from the approved plans and resemble resorts rather than hostels,” he added.
He said officials from LAWDA and the Custodian Evacuee Property Department allegedly abused their official positions for personal financial benefits, facilitating the illegal construction.
Responding to queries about the delay in registering these cases, SSP Bhat attributed it to late complaints and procedural hurdles. “We’ve been informed by departments that several records were destroyed in the 2014 floods, which caused delays. Despite that, the ACB has maintained a close watch and continues to act against corruption,” he said.
