Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 9: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Kashmir today filed a chargesheet against the officials of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department in an alleged rice diversion scam.
According to the CBK, the chargesheet has been submitted in FIR No. 07/2020 under Sections 409, 420 and 120-B of the RPC before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore.
The accused have been identified as Siraj-ud-Din Bhat (then TSO PEG Baramulla), son Mohammad Sideeq Bhat resident of Waripora, Safapora Ganderbal; Mohammad Hussain Bhat (then TSO/Storekeeper Hygam Granary), son of Abdul Rahim Bhat, of Kichloo, Qazipora Handwara; and Mohammad Shafi Rather alias Shafi Kanda (then TSO Hygam Granary), son of Mohammad Sultan Rather, of Wanigam Pattan.
The CBK said the case originated from a communication received from the Directorate of FCS&CA, flagging suspected misappropriation of rice from the Hygam and Baramulla (Centre D) granaries.
Following the inputs, a probe was initiated, and the SSP Crime Branch Kashmir ordered a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) to verify the dispatch and receipt of food grain consignments.
“The JSC uncovered glaring discrepancies. Seven truckloads of rice were shown as dispatched from PEG (Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme) Baramulla under the supervision of FCI officials and the TSO PEG Baramulla.”
CBK said the challans falsely recorded the consignments as delivered at Hygam Granary and subsequently distributed to sale centres at Wagoora, Nowpora, Kathigan Jathiar, Kalantra and Dandmoh.
“However, all these sale centres categorically denied receiving any such stocks, and their official records corroborated this denial.”
Further investigation found that the challans had been fraudulently procured by Assistant Storekeeper Palhallan Pattan, Mohammad Shafi Rather, from Siraj-ud-Din Bhat, and subsequently managed through TSO Hygam, Mohd Hussain Bhat.
“The investigation established that the accused officers, in criminal conspiracy with each other and with certain officials of FCI Baramulla, misappropriated a large quantity of rice, causing a substantial pecuniary loss to the state exchequer.”
Based on extensive oral and documentary evidence, CBK said the offences against the accused stand substantiated.
“The charge-sheet under Section 173 Cr.PC has been submitted for judicial determination.”
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