Court convicts 5 officials in 1990 misappropriation case

Srinagar, Apr 20: A court in Anantnag Monday convicted five officials in a case related to misappropriation of foodgrains and empty bags in Pahalgam Circle in 1990.

The Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Anantnag, Ms Masarat Roohi convicted the officials under relevant sections of J & K PC Act-2006 and RPC. The convicted officials include Abdul Khaliq Shah, the then Store Keeper Food supplies Sale Center Pahalgam and Laripora, Ghulam Nabi Mir, the then Store Keeper Food Supplies Sale Center Dawatoo and Aru, Muhammad Shafi Rather, the then store keeper Ashumwam, Ghulam Hassan Hajam, the then store Keeper Food supplies sale centre Katsoo and and Muzaffar Ahmad Bichoo, the then store keeper Food supplies Sale centre Laripora and Pahalgam.

The accused were convicted in the misappropriation case registered under FIR No 09/1990 under section 5(2) of J&K PC Act-2006 read with Section 409 of RPC with Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (VOK), now ACB.

The officials were found guilty under Section 5(2) of J & K PC Act-2006 read with section 409 of RPC for misappropriation of food grains and empty bags by the store keepers of Pahalgam Circle for the period from April to 11 September 1989. The case was registered following a complaint filed by Deputy Director Food and Supplies Department Srinagar on November 2, 1989, stating therein about the embezzlement of Food Grains and empty bags to the tune of Rs 364235.84 on the hands of five accused convicted persons, according to prosecution.

After thorough investigation, a chargesheet was filed on September 9, 2003, and the case proceeded for judicial determination.

After appreciating the evidence, the court convicted the five officials and listed the case for argument on quantum of punishment on April 24.