Former Engineers Mohd Sultan Sheikh, Ajit Singh Chopra Among Accused; Contractor Allegedly Benefited Through Fraudulent Release of Security Deposit
SRINAGAR, AUG 10: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet against 10 accused persons, including nine public servants and a private contractor, in a case involving alleged misappropriation of Government store material, fraudulent release of security deposit, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy in connection with the construction of the Lastiyal–Kalaroose steel bridge in Kupwara.
The charge-sheet was presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, on Monday. The case pertains to alleged financial irregularities and loss to the State exchequer caused in connivance between officials of the then PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara, and the beneficiary contractor.
According to the investigation, the bridge construction work was allotted to private contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with a stipulated completion period of three months. However, the contractor allegedly commenced the work after considerable delay, completed only a portion of the assigned work and subsequently abandoned the project.
The investigation found that Government store material, including cement and steel, issued for the project remained unaccounted for and was not recovered. The value of the unrecovered material was assessed at approximately ₹5.63 lakh, resulting in a loss to the Government.
The ACB further alleged that the contractor’s Contract Deposit Receipt (CDR) of ₹73,000 was fraudulently released and encashed on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority.
The investigation also revealed alleged irregularities in the release of Bill Deposits amounting to ₹81,400, despite outstanding Government liabilities. The officials concerned were also found to have allegedly failed to properly safeguard Government material, enforce contractual obligations and ensure recovery of dues from the contractor.
According to the ACB, the alleged acts and omissions of the accused persons, carried out in connivance with the private contractor, caused a total loss of approximately ₹7,12,150 to the State exchequer.
After completion of the investigation, the required sanction for prosecution against the serving public servants was obtained from the competent authority. The charge-sheet has been filed on the basis of oral, documentary, scientific and other evidence collected during the investigation.
10 Persons Chargesheeted
The accused charge-sheeted by the ACB are:
- Abdul Majeed Malik — then Helper/Assistant Cashier, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
- Ghulam Rasool Lone — then Cashier/Senior Assistant, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
- Mohammad Sultan Sheikh (Retd.) — then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
- Er. Ajit Singh Chopra (Retd.) — then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
- Er. Nazir Ahmad Shah (Retd.) — then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
- Er. Abdul Rashid Dar (Retd.) — then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
- Er. Manzoor Ahmad Sumji — then Junior Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara.Gh. Qadir Bhat (Retd.) — then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara.Abdul Hamid Dar — then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara.Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone — private contractor/beneficiary
The ACB stated that the case originated from an Open Verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organization Kashmir following allegations of loss to the Government exchequer in connection with the bridge project.
All 10 accused persons were produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, along with the charge-sheet. The court admitted them to bail after they furnished the requisite bail and surety bonds as directed by the court.
The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing.
The allegations contained in the charge-sheet are subject to determination by the competent court, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in accordance with law.(KNC)
