SRINAGAR, April 25, 2026 : In a major crackdown on corruption, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has exposed a recruitment fraud in the Power Development Department (PDD) and filed a chargesheet before the Anti-Corruption Court Baramulla.
🔍 Key Accused
- Nasir Ahmad Mir (Bandipora)
- Mushtaq Ahmad Malik (Senior Assistant, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited)
- A deceased former Executive Engineer of KPDCL/ED Sumbal
📄 Modus Operandi
The investigation revealed a well-planned fraud involving:
- Fake appointment order allegedly issued under SRO-43 (1994)
- Forged service records to legitimize illegal employment
- Fabrication of official documents with no trace in government records
Forensic analysis confirmed that the service book entries were forged and signed by Mushtaq Ahmad Malik.
⚠️ Major Findings
- No official dispatch or receipt records supported the appointment
- Verification confirmed the accused was not eligible under SRO-43
- Salary was released without proper verification, years after the supposed appointment
⚖️ Legal Action
The EOW has established offences under:
- Section 420 (Cheating)
- Section 468 & 471 (Forgery and use of forged documents)
- Section 120-B (Criminal conspiracy) of RPC
- Relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act
The chargesheet has now been submitted for judicial proceedings.
🛑 Bigger Message
This case highlights serious lapses in verification processes and misuse of official positions, reinforcing the need for strict accountability in government recruitment systems across Jammu and Kashmir.
