2 days Ago By Daily Excelsior
Excelsior CorrespondentSRINAGAR, Apr 29: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today filed a charge sheet against two retired Education Department officials for allegedly embezzling over Rs 27 lakh meant for Gujjar-Bakerwal and Pahari-speaking students in Chandanwari education zone of Baramulla district.Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsAppThe charge sheet was presented before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla. The accused have been identified as Abdul Rashid Mir, former Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Chandanwari, and Bashir Ahmad Lone, a former Junior Assistant in the same office.
Both are residents of Uri and are now retired.An ACB spokesperson said the case began after they received a complaint through the State Vigilance Commission regarding fraud in scholarship funds. The complaint, titled: Ghulam Qadir Mir vs Education Zone Boniyar, alleged large-scale misuse of scholarship funds for Pahari-speaking and Gujjar-Bakerwal students.
“During verification, the allegations were found to be true. It was revealed that the officials had inserted fake names of students into official records and showed funds being disbursed to them,” the official said.According to the ACB, the embezzlement took place during the academic years 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12.
“They inflated the number of beneficiary students and withdrew funds in their names. In this way, they misappropriated over Rs 27 lakh,” the spokesperson said.The ACB also found that the officials had obtained funds on the basis of inflated student rolls, leading to an excess disbursement of Rs 23.
15 lakh. The officials allegedly violated official norms and acted in connivance with each other to cause losses to the State exchequer. A senior official said, “They abused their official position and committed fraud to benefit themselves financially.
All records, including acquittance registers, were manipulated.”The charge sheet has been filed under multiple Sections of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Ranbir Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy and forgery. Both accused appeared in court and were granted bail.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 15, 2025.The post 2 officials charged for embezzling Rs 27 lakh appeared first on Daily Excelsior..
