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)
