Health Department Employee Arrested in Kashmir Recruitment Fraud

SRINAGAR, May 05 — The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir arrested Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a senior assistant in the Health Department, following searches related to a long-standing recruitment scam. The arrest is part of an investigation into a case registered under several sections of the Ranbir Penal Code involving cheating and forgery.

Authorities identified Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj, as a repeat offender allegedly linked to the fraudulent activity.

The case began after the Deputy Director of Health Services Kashmir reported that an individual named Bashir Ahmad Sofi had used forged transfer orders and a fabricated last pay certificate to illegally secure a position as a health educator.

Investigations showed that the suspect gained unauthorized entry into the service at Block Sheeri in Baramulla and drew a salary, resulting in a significant financial loss to the state.

The illicit nature of the appointment was uncovered during a routine verification of service records and financial documents.

The Economic Offences Wing noted that Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir is allegedly involved in several other similar recruitment frauds that are currently being investigated or have already reached the charge-sheet stage.

Officials stated that the investigation into this specific case remains active to identify any other accomplices or additional instances of forged appointments. The department continues to scrutinize health department records to ensure the integrity of the recruitment process.