ACB raids former KAS officer’s residence in F&E services recruitment scam

Srinagar, Jan 23: Days after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filed a case in connection with the recruitment scam in the Fire & Emergency Services (F&E) Department, ACB officials raided the residence of a former Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officer in South Kashmir’s Batengoo area on Thursday.
The raid targeted the home of Mohammad Yaqub Dar, a retired Chairman, Technical, and Assistant Division Officer (ADO) in the F&E Department. He is one of the suspects in the ongoing investigation into the recruitment scandal, which is being probed under FIR No. 1-2025, registered at the Central Police Station, Kashmir.
Led by a DySP-ranked officer, the ACB team seized electronic devices and documents linked to the case during the raid. This was the first search operation in relation to the recruitment scam, which involves alleged irregularities in the selection process for firemen and drivers within the department.
The ACB has already arrested several individuals connected to the scandal, including department officials, technical committee members, and representatives from a private examination agency. Investigations have revealed that 109 candidates who scored below the cut-off marks were wrongfully declared successful during the 2020 recruitment drive. Those involved face charges of forgery, criminal conspiracy, and cheating.
According to the ACB, an inquiry into the recruitment process for firemen/fireman drivers revealed multiple irregularities. The recruitment, which began in 2013 and was re-initiated in 2018, saw controversial actions such as the cancellation of a written exam in 2019 due to mass copying allegations.
The tendering process for the TRP agency was also flawed, with the L-1 bidder (M/s UMC Technology Pvt. Ltd.) being overlooked in favour of the L-2 bidder (M/s LMES IT LLP), despite the latter’s lack of experience and connections to a previous controversial agency.
Aspirants who were left out have been protesting, demanding accountability from those responsible. One aspirant, who spoke anonymously, expressed hope that the government would ensure justice for deserving candidates, many of whom are now ineligible for future exams due to age restrictions.