ACB Secures Conviction in Pahalgam Food Grain Embezzlement and Files Charges Against Former BDO Kupwara

JAMMU, APRIL 20: In a major legal victory for the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court in Anantnag has convicted five former storekeepers for the misappropriation of food grains and empty bags within the Pahalgam circle.

The convicted individuals—Abdul Khaliq Shah, Gh Nabi Mir, Mohd Shafi Rather, Gh. Hassan Hajam, and Muzaffar Ahmad Bichoo—were found guilty of embezzling state resources valued at over ₹3.64 lakh during their tenure in 1989.

The case, which dates back to a 1990 FIR, concluded after decades of judicial proceedings, with the court scheduling arguments for the quantum of punishment on April 24, 2026.

This verdict underscores a persistent commitment to holding public officials accountable for the breach of trust and the misuse of essential commodities meant for the public.

Simultaneously, the ACB has escalated its crackdown on administrative fraud by presenting a charge-sheet against the former Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kupwara, Abdul Majeed Ganie, along with four others.

The investigation, triggered by a 2021 grievance portal complaint, uncovered a sophisticated criminal conspiracy involving the siphoning of developmental funds through the manipulation of official records and electronic data.

Alongside Ganie, former Junior Assistant Bashir Ahmad Mir and MISO/GRS Sajad Ahmad Dar are accused of collaborating with private beneficiaries to generate fraudulent Fund Transfer Orders.

These actions diverted nearly ₹4.86 lakh into unauthorized accounts via double drawals and payments for non-existent works.The probe into the Kupwara case further revealed that the accused attempted to obstruct justice by destroying official records and withholding crucial Digital Signature Certificates to hide the paper trail.

Despite these efforts to screen the offense, the ACB successfully established a case involving various sections of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).

By presenting this charge-sheet before the Hon’ble Court, the ACB has reinforced its stance against the systemic abuse of official positions, ensuring that those who cause wrongful loss to the state exchequer for personal gain face judicial determination.