Earlier Inquiry Report Rejected; Shivangi Gupta Appointed Inquiry Officer, Suresh Bharti Presenting Officer
JAMMU, OCT 5 (KNC): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a fresh departmental inquiry against Junior Engineer (REW) Arshad Amin, who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with a corruption case registered in 2021.
According to Government Order No. 343-PW(R&B) of 2026 dated September 30, 2026, issued by the Public Works (R&B) Department, Arshad Amin, then posted as Junior Engineer (REW) in the BDO Office Changa, Tehsil Gandoh, District Doda, was arrested in FIR No. 06/2021 registered at Police Station ACB, Jammu, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The government order states that, following advice from the General Administration Department, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj had earlier framed a Memorandum of Charges and Statement of Imputation against the official.
An inquiry was subsequently conducted by the Assistant Commissioner (Development), Kishtwar, who had been appointed as Inquiry Officer by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department. However, the Public Works (R&B) Department has now rejected the findings and recommendations of the earlier inquiry report.
The order records that the matter was examined in light of relevant records shared by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department and the Anti-Corruption Bureau. It further notes that, considering the nature of the allegations and procedural requirements, the earlier inquiry was not found sufficient for final disposal of the disciplinary matter.
The competent authority has accordingly decided to hold a fresh departmental inquiry on a post-facto basis, adopting the formal procedure under the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
New Inquiry Officer Appointed
Under the fresh order, Er. Shivangi Gupta, In-Charge Superintendent Engineer, PMGSY Batote, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer to conduct the proceedings.
Er. Suresh Bharti, In-Charge Executive Engineer, Rural Development Department, Doda, has been appointed as the Presenting Officer in the matter.
The Inquiry Officer has been directed to conduct the proceedings in accordance with the applicable rules and submit the report along with clear-cut recommendations within one month of issuance of the government order, while restricting the findings to the mandate prescribed under the applicable CVC guidelines.
The government has also directed that any transfer of the Inquiry Officer or Presenting Officer should not affect the inquiry, and the designated Inquiry Officer shall submit the report within the prescribed timeframe.
The fresh departmental proceedings follow the ACB case and subsequent administrative examination of the allegations against Arshad Amin. The latest order is aimed at ensuring that the disciplinary matter is examined afresh through the prescribed departmental procedure before a final decision is taken.
The order has been issued with the approval of the competent/disciplinary authority in the Public Works (R&B) Department.(KNC)
