SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 14, 2026 : The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against three public servants in an alleged fraud and corruption case involving the manipulation of service records in the Agriculture Department, officials said on Wednesday.
The chargesheet was presented before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, under relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, as cited by officials.
Three Agriculture Department Officials Named
The accused have been identified as:
- Abdul Rashid Gojri, Helper at the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office, Beerwah.
- Manzoor Ahmad Wani, Section Officer in the office of the Chief Agriculture Officer, Budgam.
- Peer Abdul Rashid, retired Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO).
The case originated from a communication dated February 15, 2022, received from the Deputy Director Agriculture, Central Kashmir, concerning allegations that certain officials had manipulated service records to obtain undue benefits.
Alleged Forgery of Date-of-Birth Certificate
According to officials, the investigation found that Abdul Rashid Gojri had allegedly submitted a forged date-of-birth certificate showing his date of birth as February 27, 1973, instead of his actual year of birth, 1975.
The matter was subsequently registered at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir, now known as Police Station SCW Kashmir.
Investigators also found that Gojri was allegedly 17 years and two months old when he was initially engaged as a daily-wage worker in the Agriculture Department.
Two Other Officials Allegedly Facilitated Record Manipulation
The investigation further alleged that Manzoor Ahmad Wani and Peer Abdul Rashid facilitated the entry of the incorrect date of birth into Gojri’s service records despite directions requiring verification of the relevant documents.
According to the officials, these alleged actions helped facilitate the regularisation of Gojri’s services.
The Crime Branch stated that the investigation established offences under the relevant provisions of the FIR against all three accused.
Chargesheet Presented Before Anti-Corruption Court
After obtaining the requisite approval and sanction concerning the two serving government employees, the Special Crime Wing submitted the chargesheet before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, for further legal proceedings.
The case highlights allegations of service-record manipulation and the importance of document verification and accountability in public administration.
The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in accordance with law.
