Srinagar, March 8: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 43/2018 before the Court of Special Anti-Corruption Judge Baramulla against seven accused persons for alleged offences under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case relates to alleged misappropriation of government funds sanctioned for the construction of a school building at Hampora Kralgund village under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme.
According to the Crime Branch, the case was registered following a written complaint alleging that funds meant for the construction of a school building along with a kitchen, toilet and ramp were misused.
Investigation revealed that an amount of Rs. 5,73,592 had been released through various cheques by the then Zonal Education Officer Langate, mostly routed through the first teacher of Primary School Hampora.
However, officials said the approved works were not executed in accordance with norms.
On the ground, investigators found that only the main structure of the school building existed, while the kitchen block, toilet and ramp were not constructed despite the release of funds.
Crime Branch officials said the investigation further revealed that the accused officials, in alleged connivance with a contractor, entered into a criminal conspiracy and allotted the contract in violation of guidelines issued under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme.
Under SSA norms, the construction work was supposed to be executed through members of the Village Education Committee.
However, the investigation found that the site plan of the project had also been altered by deviating from the approved design.
Instead of constructing a three-room school building with a separate kitchen, toilet and ramp as originally sanctioned, a double-storey structure with four rooms was built.
Investigators also found that even after the structure was completed, the contractor failed to hand over the building to the Education Department.
Officials said the concerned authorities also did not take possession of the building, which allegedly allowed another accused person to occupy the structure illegally.
Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, Crime Branch said offences under relevant legal provisions have been established against the accused persons.
The case has now been challaned before the competent court for judicial determination.
Officials said the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir remains committed to taking strict legal action to curb corruption and protect public resources.
