Srinagar, July 29: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Wednesday said it has secured the conviction of a Budgam man who fraudulently obtained a constable’s job in the 9th Battalion of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) by using a forged 10+2 qualification certificate.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Crime Branch Kashmir (now the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir) secured the conviction in a long-pending recruitment fraud case.

He said that, in a significant judgment, the Court of the Special Mobile Magistrate, 13th Finance Commission/Railway Magistrate, Srinagar, convicted Nazir Ahmad Malik, son of Abdul Aziz Malik, a resident of Bunpora Trehgam Kupwara, for fraudulently securing appointment as a constable in the 9th Battalion of the Indian Reserve Police by using a fake 10+2 qualification certificate.

“During the investigation, the forged certificate was seized and forwarded to the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) for verification. The Board conclusively confirmed that the certificate was forged. Accordingly, the Court convicted and sentenced the accused to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000 for the offence punishable under Section 420 RPC. In default of payment of the fine, the convict shall undergo simple imprisonment for 15 days,” the spokesperson said.

He said the Court also sentenced the accused to two years’ simple imprisonment for the offence punishable under Section 471 RPC. Both substantive sentences shall run concurrently.

“The EOW Kashmir advises citizens to refrain from using forged or fabricated documents for employment or any official purpose. Such fraudulent acts are punishable under law and can lead to imprisonment, fines and permanent damage to one’s reputation and career,” the spokesperson added.—(KNO)