Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 8: The Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Handwara today blacklisted a registered contractor and constituted an inquiry committee after allegedly finding that he had submitted a forged departmental document to J&K Bank’s Magam branch.
According to an official communication issued by the Executive Engineer, PHE Division Handwara, the matter came to light after the branch manager sought verification of a document purportedly issued by the division.
The verification request was made through reference No. JKB/SMOOTI/May-872-2026 dated May 14, 2026.
The department alleged that the contractor had submitted a fabricated letter bearing dispatch number PHE/Hand/Cs/5785 dated May 8, 2026, purportedly issued by the Executive Engineer’s office to facilitate the processing of pending allotment payments.
The document allegedly certified the release status of funds relating to Allotment No. PHE/HAND/3885-87 dated January 25, 2024, and Allotment No. PHE/HAND/2013-15 dated November 3, 2022.
Following scrutiny of official records, the division concluded that the document was not genuine.
“A thorough verification of the official records of this Division has conclusively established that no such letter was ever issued by this office, and the document in question is entirely forged, fabricated, and manufactured by you,” the communication states.
The department further alleged that the contractor had forged an official document and impersonated the authority of the Executive Engineer.
Taking what it described as “serious cognizance” of the matter, the department said an official inquiry committee was being constituted by the competent authority to conduct a comprehensive and detailed investigation into the alleged fraudulent act and fabrication of official records.
The committee has been tasked with examining the circumstances of the case and deciding the contractor’s liabilities, commitments and penalties, if any.
Pending the outcome of the inquiry, the Executive Engineer ordered the contractor’s blacklisting from future tenders floated by the division.
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