EOW chargesheets trio in fake appointment PDD scam

Srinagar, Apr 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Srinagar, has filed a chargesheet in the Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla, against two accused and a deceased former engineer in an alleged Power Development Department (PDD) job scam involving fake appointment orders, forged service records and illegal salary payments.
In a statement, a spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Srinagar, of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 46/2023 before the Hon’ble Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla, against Nasir Ahmad Mir 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, a resident of Jammu.
He said, the case originated from a written complaint alleging fraudulent appointments in the Power Development Department (PDD). During the investigation, it was found that Nasir Ahmad Mir had secured employment using a fabricated appointment order purportedly issued under SRO-43 of 1994.
“The said order was found to be missing from official records, raising serious doubts about its authenticity. The investigation further revealed that Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, then serving as a Senior Assistant, prepared a forged service book for Nasir Ahmad Mir, falsely reflecting his appointment under SRO-43.”
The spokesperson said, forensic analysis confirmed that the entries in the service book were authored and signed by Mushtaq Ahmad Malik. Furthermore, no official dispatch or receipt records supported the issuance of the alleged appointment order.
He said, verification by the then Tehsildar, Bandipora, confirmed that Nasir Ahmad Mir was not eligible for appointment under SRO-43, as no qualifying family circumstances existed. Despite this, the deceased Executive Engineer facilitated salary disbursement in 2009 without proper verification, more than three years after the purported date of appointment.
“The investigation established a criminal conspiracy among the accused, involving forgery, cheating, and misuse of official position. Accordingly, offences under Sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B RPC have been established, along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the involved public servants. The chargesheet has been submitted for judicial adjudication,” said the spokesperson.