Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has booked several individuals, including then president of Municipal Committee Thannamandi, for the alleged misappropriation of funds.
As per an ACB spokesperson, an FIR under the relevant sections of the law has been registered at Police Station ACB Rajouri against Shakeel Ahmed Mir, then president, Municipal Committee Thannamandi, Mushtaq Ahmed, then Executive Officer, and Riyaz Ahmed, then storekeeper, along with the owner of an agency among other individuals, for their involvement in misappropriation of funds.
According to him, the accused in collision with others, engaged in corrupt practices, resulting in substantial financial losses to the Government.
He said that the investigation stems from irregularities discovered during a verification process conducted by the ACB, which uncovered discrepancies in the procurement of street lights by the Municipal Committee Thannamandi.
It was found that the committee had invited tenders for the installation of street lights, specifying particular brands such as Havells, Syska, or Philips, with guaranteed quality.
However, the ACB spokesperson said, the Executive Officer allegedly abused his position to accept inferior-quality LED bulbs from a supplier, contrary to the specified brands.
He said the further scrutiny revealed discrepancies in the procurement process, with LED street lights and bulbs allegedly being purchased without proper documentation or verification of receipt.
The accused officials released full payments for these purchases, despite discrepancies in quality and quantity, leading to a loss of approximately Rs 5,96,870 to the Government exchequer,” he said.
Following the registration of the case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, in collaboration with local authorities, conducted searches at the residences of the accused in district Rajouri.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing, as authorities seek to uncover further evidence of wrongdoing and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
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