The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR against Mohd Shafi Rather, a former class IV employee (Kandaman) in the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (CAPD) Baramulla, for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets worth approximately ₹21 crore.
The ACB’s investigation revealed that Rather, in connivance with other officials, accumulated vast properties and investments far beyond his known sources of income during his tenure.
As per senior ACB officials, The ACB’s verification revealed that Rather, who initially worked as a commission agent in a fair price shop before being appointed as a Kandaman in CAPD Baramulla, utilized his position to engage in corrupt practices, resulting in the acquisition of extensive immovable and movable assets. These include multiple residential properties, land parcels in Jammu and Baramulla, and substantial investments in joint land purchases.
Notable assets uncovered include two double-story houses in Wanigam Bala, Pattan, valued at ₹40.34 lakh and ₹32.92 lakh, respectively, a single-story house with land in Bathindi, Jammu, worth ₹32 lakh, and investments of ₹1.50 crore in 107 kanals of land in Pattan, totaling ₹7.30 crore.
Further verification by the ACB uncovered additional properties, including a house in Umerabad, Srinagar, and land parcels in Tangmarg, Shikargah, and HMT Srinagar. The investigation also revealed investments in life insurance, PPF, and various movable assets like a scooty, furniture, and electronics. The suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the disproportionate wealth relative to his known income.
As a result, an FIR No. 11-2024 under section 5(1)(e) r/w 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, and sections 12/14 of the J&K Public Men and Public Servants (Declaration of Assets & other Provisions) Act, 1983, has been registered against Mohd Shafi Rather. Additional charges under section 109 RPC have been filed against other officials who allegedly abetted Rather’s actions.
Following the registration of the case, search warrants were obtained from the Anti-Corruption Court Baramulla, leading to simultaneous searches at eight locations in Pattan, Baramulla, and Bhatindi, Jammu. These searches resulted in the seizure of incriminating documents, including those related to vehicles, land purchases, insurance policies, and other investments.
The investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are anticipated as the ACB continues its probe into the matter.
