CMO, BMO among 17 chargesheeted in fake appointments scam: CBK

Srinagar, Mar 12: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet against 17 persons, including a Chief Medical Officer (CMO), a Block Medical Officer (BMO), doctors/medical officers, a senior assistant, and office/dealing assistants of the Health Department in connection with a fake appointments scam in the Health Department in Medical Block Bandipora, inflicting losses of crores of rupees on the state exchequer, officials said

In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that “The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet in case FIR No. 07/2013 before the Hon’ble Court of Special Anti-Corruption Judge Baramulla against seventeen (17) accused persons for offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 201 RPC read with Section 5(2) PC Act.”

The case was registered following the receipt of official communications from the Deputy Director Health Services (HQR) Kashmir, Srinagar, alleging fraudulent insertions in Government Order No. 235-HME of 2010 dated 19.04.2010. It was alleged that certain officials, in conspiracy with others, manipulated the said order and fraudulently showed the creation of additional posts in the Health Department in Medical Block Bandipora, the statement added.

During investigation, the spokesperson stated, it surfaced that, under a well-planned criminal conspiracy involving departmental officials and beneficiaries, fake transfer and appointment orders were prepared and used to illegally adjust several individuals against non-existent posts in PHC Chuntimullah, PHC Ashtangoo, SDH Bandipora and PHC Sheikhpora Gurez. By using these forged documents, the accused beneficiaries managed to secure illegal appointments and subsequently drew salaries and 6th Pay Commission arrears from the Government treasury.

The investigation established that the accused persons, by resorting to forgery and fraudulent means, caused crores of rupees wrongful loss to the State exchequer while deriving corresponding wrongful gain for themselves, the statement said.

Accordingly, after completion of investigation, the chargesheet has been filed before the Court for judicial determination, it said.

The spokesperson further said, “The chargesheet has been filed against 17 accused persons including a Chief Medical Officer, a Block Medical Officer, doctors/medical officers, a senior assistant, office/dealing assistants of the Health Department and 12 beneficiary employees who were fraudulently adjusted against non-existent posts.”