EOW Kashmir charges UK National for fraudulent appointment at SKIMS Soura

Srinagar, Feb 5: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on Thursday said they have filed a chargesheet against, a former Assistant Professor at SKIMS Soura, for allegedly concealing her British citizenship and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status while securing a government post, officials said
They said, the investigation revealed that she misrepresented herself as an Indian citizen and permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to her wrongful appointment in 2019.
In a statement, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K said they have produced a chargesheet in FIR No. 76/2022 under Sections 199 and 420 RPC before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against Ms. Afshan Shabir W/o Syed Akeel Ahmad, resident of Shibath Zadibal.
“The case pertains to allegations that Ms. Afshan Shabir, who was appointed as Assistant Professor at SKIMS Soura in 2019, is a United Kingdom national and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder, thereby rendering her ineligible for appointment to a Government post.”
The statement reads, investigation revealed that the accused applied for the post pursuant to Advertisement Notice No. 04 of 2015 as an in-service candidate and submitted documents, including a State Subject Certificate, declaring herself to be an Indian citizen and a permanent resident of J&K. On the basis of these declarations, she was selected and appointed.
It reads as, during the course of investigation, official records including her service book, personal file, application form, and selection committee minutes were seized and examined. It surfaced that the accused had acquired British citizenship prior to her Government service and allegedly concealed this fact while applying for and continuing in Government service. The accused admitted to holding a British passport and an OCI card.
“The investigation established that by misrepresenting her citizenship status, the accused fraudulently secured a public post, causing wrongful gain to herself and corresponding loss to the Government. Her services were terminated vide Government Order No. 23-SKIMS of 2022 dated 20.08.2022, and upon culmination of investigation, the chargesheet was produced before the competent court for judicial adjudication,” the statement reads further. (KNO)