Rs 1.64 cr embezzlement case
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: Crime Branch Jammu today produced charge-sheet against Nikhil Gandral, cashier of PHE, City Division No.01 Jammu, who had allegedly misappropriated and embezzled an amount of Rs 1.64 crores from the revenue collected as water charges.
Out of the more than Rs 2.2 crores water tax revenue of the division, collected during 2019, the accused illegally siphoned off Rs 1.64 crores. The accused was arrested by the Crime Branch and he is still in judicial custody at District Jail Ambphalla
The case owes its origin to a written complaint lodged by PHE, City Division No.01, Jammu against Nikhil Gandral, son of Late Ravinder Kumar Gandral of H.No. 24/7, Greater Kailash, Jammu. While he was posted as a cashier in the office of Executive Engineer, PHE, City Division No. 01, Jammu, he committed the misappropriation of Government revenue with malicious intent and consequently managed to swindle Government revenue amounting to Rs 1.64 crores.
Taking cognizance of the matter, Crime Branch Jammu registered a criminal case FIR No. 02/2020 under Section 409, 411, 414, 420, 477-A, 34 IPC, r/w Sec. 13(2) Prevention of Corruption Act and investigation was taken up. During the investigation, documentary, oral and circumstantial evidences were collected and it was established that accused cashier has committed criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the Government money which was entrusted to accused cashier in his capacity as a public servant. The revenue collected by Sub Divisional staff had been deposited in the Division Headquarter with the accused cashier for its further remittance into the Treasury.
The charge-sheet was produced against Nikhil Gandral in the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu after sanction to prosecute was accorded by the Government. The role of another accused Inderpal Singh of Nanak Nagar Jammu and involvement of other officers/officials of PHE Department are under investigation. The name of accused Inderpal Singh has surfaced in the case as conduit for laundering of the embezzled money. Accused Nikhil Gandral was arrested and sent to judicial custody after 15 days in Police custody. He has been suspended from Government service.
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