Srinagar, July 06 (GNS): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir has registered an FIR against five officials of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department and nine Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers for alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of government food grains in Karnah area of Kupwara district.
In a handout to GNS, the ACB said FIR No. 02/2026 has been registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Sections 61(2) and 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, after obtaining approval from the competent authority, GAD, Government of J&K.
The case was initiated following a communication from the Director, FCS&CA Department, Kashmir, seeking criminal action after departmental inspections and physical verification revealed massive shortages.
A Joint Surprise Check at Government Sale Centres and Fair Price Shops had initially detected a shortage of 4,175.89 quintals of rice at Lountha Granary in Karnah.
A subsequent comprehensive physical verification by a departmental Sub-Committee and detailed verification by ACB uncovered substantial shortages at various Sale Centres and FPSs falling under Tangdhar, Karnah-A and Karnah-B circles. The total loss to the government exchequer has been pegged at Rs 5,57,18,657.25, approximately Rs 5.57 crore.
The ACB said that the shortage was part of a “well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy” involving public servants and private beneficiaries who allegedly dishonestly misappropriated government food grains entrusted to them by abusing their official position for unlawful pecuniary gain.
The FIR, among others, names Umar Bashir alias Raja Umer, then Assistant Storekeeper, Ashiq Hussain Mir, then Assistant Storekeeper, and 12 other accused comprising public servants and FPS dealers.
Immediately after registration of the case, searches were conducted at multiple locations and other legal proceedings have been initiated. Investigation is in progress.
“Anti-Corruption Bureau remains steadfast in its commitment to combating corruption and safeguarding public resources,” the spokesperson said.
The Bureau has appealed to the public to report instances of corruption through the ACB helpline or official email.(GNS)
