ACB books former TSO, others for alleged ration scam in Reasi

Srinagar, Mar 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday registered an FIR against a former Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) posted in Reasi district and other officials for allegedly misappropriating excess ration and siphoning off transportation funds, causing significant losses to the government exchequer, officials said here.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered case FIR No.06/2026 under section 5(1) (c) (d) r/w Section 5 (2) of J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and 120-B and 409 of RPC in P/S ACB Udhampur against Pranav Gandotra, the then TSO Arnas /Dharmari Reasi as well as then officers /officials of CA&PD Department and others and started investigation.

He said the verification conducted by ACB revealed that Pranav Gandotra while his posting as Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) Arnas/Dharmari District Reasi from April 2011 to January 2013 has fraudulently received 22298.80 quintals of excess ration, besides an amount of Rs. 103.63 Lakhs (approx.) as transportation /carriage charges in league with then Assistant Directors Trade and Stores, CA&PD Department Jammu and others.

“The said quota was not distributed to concerned depots but was black marketed as a result of which huge loss has been caused to the government exchequer.”

The spokesperson further said, by acting in this manner the then TSO Arnas/Dharmari District Reasi namely Parnav Gandotra and others by abuse of their official positions and in criminal conspiracy with each other, misappropriated the said ration/carriage charges, thereby conferring undue benefit to themselves as well as corresponding loss to the government exchequer.