Accused Allegedly Manipulated Service Records to Secure Undue Benefits; Case Filed Before Srinagar Anti-Corruption Court

Srinagar, October 14 (KNC): The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against three government employees in an alleged fraud and corruption case involving the manipulation of a date-of-birth certificate and service records in the Agriculture Department.

According to an official handout issued to KNC, the chargesheet was presented before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 02/2022, registered under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 120-B of the RPC, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Rashid Gojri, a Helper in the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office, Beerwah; Manzoor Ahmad Wani, a Section Officer in the office of the Chief Agriculture Officer, Budgam; and Peer Abdul Rashid, a retired Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO).

Case Originated Over Alleged Manipulation of Service Records

The case originated from a communication dated February 15, 2022, received from the Deputy Director Agriculture, Central Kashmir, regarding alleged manipulation of official service records by certain officials to obtain undue benefits.

During verification, investigators reportedly found that Abdul Rashid Gojri had allegedly submitted a forged date-of-birth certificate reflecting his date of birth as February 27, 1973, instead of his actual date of birth, February 27, 1975.

Following the preliminary verification, an FIR was registered at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir, now Police Station SCW Kashmir, and an investigation was initiated into the alleged irregularities.

Investigation Points to Alleged Role of Two Other Officials

According to the Crime Branch, the investigation revealed that Gojri was 17 years and two months old at the time of his initial engagement as a daily wager in the Agriculture Department.

The investigating agency further alleged that the other two accused facilitated the incorporation of the incorrect date of birth into his official service records by disregarding directions for verification of the relevant documents.

The alleged manipulation subsequently facilitated the regularisation of Gojri’s services, the agency stated.

Chargesheet Filed After Required Sanction

The Crime Branch said the investigation established the offences mentioned in the FIR against all three accused. After obtaining the requisite approval and sanction in respect of the two serving government employees, the chargesheet was presented before the competent Anti-Corruption Court in Srinagar for further legal proceedings.

The filing of the chargesheet marks the next stage of the judicial process, during which the allegations will be examined by the court in accordance with the law.

Public Urged to Report Fraudulent Activities

The Crime Branch Kashmir has urged members of the public to remain vigilant against fraud and corruption and report any such incidents to the concerned authorities.

The agency reiterated the importance of safeguarding official records and ensuring accountability in government departments.(KNC)