256.40 Quintals of Rice, Cooking Funds Allegedly Diverted; Case Traced to Irregularities in 2014-15
JAMMU, AUGUST 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against a former Junior Assistant of the Zonal Education Office (ZEO), Manjakote, in connection with an alleged ₹12.65 lakh financial irregularity involving rice and cooking expenses meant for the Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme in Rajouri.
According to an ACB statement issued to Kashmir News Corner (KNC), the chargesheet has been submitted in FIR No. 26/2018 against Mohd Farooq, who was posted as a Junior Assistant in the office of ZEO Manjakote.
The accused has been booked under Sections 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006 BK, besides Sections 465, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B RPC.
Case Originated From 2018 Verification
The corruption case was registered on December 28, 2018, at Police Station VOJ, now ACB-J, after a verification was conducted into allegations of irregularities in the distribution of rice under the MDM scheme in Zone Manjakote, Rajouri.
The initial verification had pointed towards the alleged misappropriation of nearly 200 quintals of rice pertaining to the fourth quarter of the financial year 2014-15.
As the investigation progressed, the ACB examined official records and other relevant material and alleged that the then ZEO Manjakote, Shah Nawaz Khan, who has since died, and Mohd Farooq, the dealing hand for the MDM scheme, were involved in manipulating official records.
Fake Indents, Authority Letters Allegedly Prepared
The investigation, according to the ACB, indicated that fake, forged and fabricated indents and authority letters were allegedly prepared to facilitate the irregular withdrawal and distribution of MDM rice.
The alleged acts were reportedly carried out in connivance with storekeeper Mumtaz Hussain, the anti-corruption agency said.
The investigation subsequently assessed that 256.40 quintals of rice, valued at approximately ₹8,03,557.60, had allegedly been misappropriated.
In addition, ₹4,61,578 towards cooking costs was also allegedly diverted, taking the total alleged loss to the government exchequer to ₹12,65,135.60.
FSL Opinion Supports Document Manipulation Allegations
The ACB said that scrutiny of official records, along with an opinion obtained from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), provided prima facie evidence regarding alleged manipulation and fabrication of documents connected with the MDM supplies.
As the former ZEO, Shah Nawaz Khan, had died, proceedings against him could not be continued. The agency, however, obtained the required sanction for prosecution against Mohd Farooq, allowing the case to proceed against the surviving accused.
Chargesheet Filed Before Special Anti-Corruption Court
The chargesheet was presented before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Rajouri, on August 31, 2026.
The court has scheduled the matter for its next hearing on September 29, 2026.
The case relates to the alleged diversion and misappropriation of foodgrain and government funds earmarked for the Mid Day Meal scheme, which was designed to provide meals to schoolchildren in the Manjakote education zone.(KNC)
