Srinagar, Mar 8: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 43/2018 before the Court of Special Anti-Corruption Judge Baramulla against seven accused persons for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of government funds sanctioned under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme.
According to officials, the chargesheet has been filed under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case was registered following a written complaint alleging embezzlement of funds allocated for the construction of a school building at village Hampora Kralgund in Langate area of Kupwara district under the SSA scheme. The project included construction of a school building along with a kitchen block, toilet and ramp.
During the course of investigation, it was revealed that an amount of Rs 5,73,592 had been released through several cheques by the then Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Langate, mostly routed through the first teacher of Primary School Hampora. However, the investigation found that the approved works were not executed as per prescribed norms.
Officials stated that on ground only the school building structure was found constructed, while the kitchen block, toilet and ramp were not built despite the release of funds for the same.
Further probe revealed that the accused officials, in connivance with the contractor, allegedly hatched a criminal conspiracy and allotted the contract in violation of SSA guidelines, which mandate that such works be executed through members of the Village Education Committee (VEC).
Investigators also found that the original approved site plan for a three-room school building with a separate kitchen, toilet and ramp was altered for personal benefit. Instead, a double-storey structure with four rooms was constructed.
Moreover, the contractor allegedly failed to hand over the building to the Education Department after completion, while the concerned officials deliberately did not take possession, which subsequently enabled another accused person to illegally occupy the building.
Based on the evidence collected during investigation, offences under relevant provisions of law were established against the accused persons, following which the chargesheet was presented before the competent court for judicial determination.
Meanwhile, the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and protecting public resources through strict legal action against those involved in financial irregularities. (KNC)
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