Srinagar, Mar 27: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against several individuals, including former officials of the Thanamandi Municipal Committee in Rajouri, for their alleged involvement in corruption related to the purchase of street lights. The case, FIR no. 01/2024, was filed under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and RPC after a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to the ACB, the case stems from irregularities discovered during a verification process regarding the procurement of street lights by the Municipal Committee. It was alleged that the then President of the Municipal Committee, Shakeel Ahmed Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed, then Executive Officer, Riyaz Ahmad, then Storekeeper of the Municipal Committee, Thanamandi along with other officials, conspired to accept substandard LED bulbs instead of the specified brands mentioned in the tender notice.
The investigation revealed that despite the tender specifying brands such as Havells, Syska, or Philips, LED bulbs of inferior quality were procured from M/s Gouri Sales Agencies. Out of the 100 street lights received, only 42 were identified as per the prescribed brands, while the remaining 58 could not be traced. Moreover, these lights were purchased at exorbitant rates, causing a significant financial loss to the government.
Further scrutiny uncovered another instance of irregularity, wherein the then Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee, Mushtaq Ahmed, issued a supply order for LED street lights and bulbs without following the necessary tendering process. However, no record of the receipt or issuance of these items was found, indicating possible misappropriation of funds.
It was alleged that Shakeel Ahmed Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed, and other officials, in collusion with the proprietor of M/s Gouri Sales Agencies, released full payments against the purported purchases, despite discrepancies and non-compliance with procurement procedures. As a result, government funds were misappropriated, causing losses amounting to approximately Rs 5,96,870.
In response to these findings, the ACB conducted searches at the residences of the accused public servants in District Rajouri, with the assistance of local police, magistrates, and independent witnesses. The investigation into the case is ongoing, with authorities vowing to take strict action against those found guilty of corruption.