Srinagar, Jan 19 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a charge sheet against a retired PHE Department employee for allegedly posing as a migrant and fraudulently availing relief worth rupees 18.3 lakh, officials said here.
They said, the investigations revealed that the accused had unlawfully registered himself and his family as migrants despite being in active government service, thereby drawing benefits he was not entitled to.
According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a charge sheet against Mohd Hussain Shah residence of Syedapura, Shopian, presently residing at Nunar Kawabagh Ganderbal , a retired employee of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Ganderbal Division, before the Hon’ble Court of 19-Electricity Magistrate, Jammu. The charge sheet pertains to allegations of unlawfully registering as a migrant along with family members and fraudulently obtaining migrant relief amounting to Rs 18,30,265.
The statement reads, acting on a written complaint brought to its notice, this Investigation Agency examined allegations that the accused, who served in the PHE Department, had dishonestly availed migrant relief in cash by illegal means. It was alleged that the accused had unlawfully registered himself as a migrant along with his family members, despite being in active government service during the relevant period, thereby rendering him ineligible for such benefits.
“A thorough investigation was subsequently carried out by the EOW, during which it was prima facie established that the accused had deliberately misrepresented his employment status and suppressed material facts to secure migrant registration. The investigation further revealed that the accused continued to avail migrant relief benefits despite being ineligible, causing wrongful loss to the Government exchequer and corresponding wrongful gain to himself.”
It reads, on the strength of material evidence collected during the investigation, it was established that the acts of omission and commission on the part of the accused constitute an offence punishable under Section 420 RPC. The evidence on record clearly substantiates the allegations levelled against him.
“After completing all statutory and procedural formalities, the Economic Offences Wing has presented the charge sheet before the competent court for judicial scrutiny. The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir reiterates its firm resolve to act against economic crimes and to safeguard public resources by preventing misuse of government welfare schemes,’ reads the statement further.—(KNO)