PDD Recruitment Fraud Exposed: EOW Chargesheets Accused Over Fake Documents Scam | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet in connection with a fraudulent appointment case in the Power Development Department (PDD), alleging forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy involving government officials.

The chargesheet in FIR No. 46/2023 has been submitted before the Anti-Corruption Court in Baramulla against Nasir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Kunan Babagund, Bandipora; Mushtaq Ahmad Malik of Aragam, Bandipora, a government employee in KPDCL; and a deceased former Executive Engineer of KPDCL/ED Sumbal, originally from Jammu.

According to the Crime Branch, the case originated from a written complaint alleging illegal appointments in the PDD. Investigation revealed that Nasir Ahmad Mir had secured government employment on the basis of a fabricated appointment order claimed to have been issued under SRO-43 of 1994.

Officials said the purported appointment order was not traceable in official records, raising questions about its authenticity and origin.

Further probe established that Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, who was then serving as a Senior Assistant, allegedly prepared a forged service book for Mir, falsely documenting his appointment under SRO-43 provisions.

Forensic examination confirmed that entries in the service book were authored and signed by Malik, investigators said, adding that no official dispatch or receipt records existed to support the issuance of the appointment order.

Verification conducted by the then Tehsildar of Bandipora concluded that Mir was not eligible for appointment under SRO-43, as the required qualifying conditions were not met.

Despite the absence of valid documentation, the deceased Executive Engineer facilitated the release of salary in 2009, more than three years after the alleged appointment date, without proper verification, according to the chargesheet.

The investigation concluded that the accused acted in criminal conspiracy, using forged documents to secure and sustain illegal employment benefits.

Crime Branch said offences under Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Ranbir Penal Code have been established. Relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act have also been invoked against the public servants involved.

The chargesheet has been filed for judicial adjudication, and further proceedings will be determined by the court.