Kupwara Food Grain Scam: ACB Registers Case Against 14 for Misappropriation

SRINAGAR, July 06, 2026: The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Jammu and Kashmir has registered a corruption case against five officials of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and nine Fair Price Shop dealers. The accused face allegations of involvement in a large-scale embezzlement and misappropriation scheme involving government food grains in the Karnah area of Kupwara district.

The case was filed at the Police Station Anti-Corruption Bureau Baramulla following necessary approvals from the General Administration Department of the Union Territory.The legal action follows a communication from the Director of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in Kashmir, who requested criminal proceedings after internal inspections and physical checks exposed severe grain shortages.

An initial surprise check conducted at government sale centers and fair price shops revealed a shortage of over 4,175 quintals of rice at the Lountha Granary in Karnah.A subsequent investigation by a departmental sub-committee alongside the Anti-Corruption Bureau revealed more shortages across multiple sale centers and shops operating under the Tangdhar, Karnah-A, and Karnah-B circles.

The total loss to the government exchequer is estimated at over 5.57 crore rupees. Investigators state that the public servants and private dealers engaged in a criminal conspiracy, abusing their official positions to misappropriate the food grains for personal financial gain.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has identified two former assistant storekeepers, Umar Bashir, also known as Raja Umer, and Ashiq Hussain Mir, among the 14 accused individuals. Following the formal registration of the case, authorities launched searches at multiple locations and initiated legal proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing as the bureau continues its efforts to safeguard public resources.