‘Misappropriation of funds’: ACB registers case against former BDO, RDD officials

Srinagar, June 07: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir has registered a case against a former Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mendhar, officials of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and certain beneficiaries (job card holders).
In a statement issued here, the ACB said it registered a case FIR no. 03/2024 at PS ACB Rajouri under sections 5(1)(c)(d) read with section 5(2) of the J&K PC Act, Svt. 2006, and section 120-B of the RPC against Aftab Ahmed, the former Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mendhar, other officials of the Rural Development Department (RDD), and certain beneficiaries (Job Card Holders).
The case was initiated following the outcome of a joint surprise check prompted by a written complaint against Aftab Ahmed and others from the Panchayat Halqua Galhuta Kangra, Block Mendhar, District Poonch. The complaint alleged misappropriation of funds through the creation of false vouchers and records for unexecuted works.
The probe focused on works executed under the MGNREGA by the RDD for the financial year 2018-19 in the Panchayat Halqua Galhuta Kangra. The investigation revealed that officers and officials of the RDD Block Mendhar, abusing their official positions, conspired with beneficiaries to release excess labour payments amounting to Rs 5,036 and Rs 1,11,005 for the works labelled as Construction of P/work, R/wall, C/wall at Mohalla Shabab Construction of Tile work near H/O Irfan Ali, Ward No. 10.
It was also found that an amount of Rs 67,704 was released for the non-existent work titled “Construction of tile work at W. No. 2”. These payments were made without the submission of muster sheets or attendance registers by the field officials.
The total misappropriated amount stands at Rs 183,745, comprising Rs 1,16,041 as excess payment and Rs 67,704 for non-existent works, the bureau said, adding that this misappropriation resulted in undue benefits for the officials and beneficiaries, causing a corresponding wrongful loss to the state exchequer.
The actions of Aftab Ahmed, then BDO Mendhar, and other officials in collaboration with the beneficiaries, prima facie, constitute offences punishable under sections 5(1)(c)(d) read with 5(2) of the J&K PC Act, 2006, and section 120-B of the RPC, the ACB said, adding that the investigation is ongoing to uncover further details and misappropriations or conspiracies involving other officials and beneficiaries.