Srinagar, May 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against an Assistant Executive Engineer in Kishtwar district for allegedly possessing assets beyond known sources of income.
According to an ACB statement, the case pertains to the Assistant Executive Engineer of the Hydraulic Sub-Division located in Chatroo, who is accused of holding substantial assets that exceed his declared income.
Officials reported that searches were conducted at multiple locations in Doda and Kishtwar following a court order. The investigation is ongoing.
The ACB has charged the accused, Ashiq Hussain Rather, under several sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
This case emerged after an inquiry by the ACB (Doda-Kishtwar range), which revealed that the officer had amassed both movable and immovable properties in his and his family’s names, significantly exceeding his income. These include a five-story residential building on Doda Court Road, land purchased in the village of Udharana in Bhaderwah, and in Sunjwan village in Jammu, along with large bank deposits, expensive electronic gadgets, and jewelry.
Officials noted that the value of the assets acquired by the accused was found to be substantially higher than his known income, indicating illegal accumulation of wealth during his service.
During the investigation, the ACB obtained search warrants from a competent court and conducted searches at the residential and office premises of the accused in Doda and Kishtwar. This operation was carried out in the presence of magistrates and independent witnesses.
The Jammu and Kashmir ACB is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating cases of corruption, bribery, and disproportionate assets. It operates directly under the administrative control of the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory and investigates matters involving civil servants and elected representatives.
The ACB investigates offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Its officials have the authority to search premises and seize incriminating documents, assets, and undisclosed money.
The agency can also freeze or take control of properties deemed to be acquired illegally or beyond known sources of income. The bureau frequently conducts ‘trap’ operations to catch officials accepting bribes red-handed.
Upon completion of the investigation, the ACB submits its report to the government for prosecution approval and files charge sheets in competent courts.
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