Srinagar: The Superintendent of Police (SP) leading the raids into corruption in the Srinagar Smart City project has been transferred. Zahoor Ahmad Wani, a 2008-batch JKPS officer, has been transferred from his position as Superintendent of Police (SP) at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Central Kashmir, to the Economic Offense Wing of ACB.
Taking over from Wani today, Javid Hassain Bhat, a 1999-batch JKPS officer, has been appointed as the new head of SP, ACB Central Kashmir.
According to an order signed by Shakti Kumar Pathak, Director of ACB J&K a copy of which is in the possession of Kashmir Dot Com, Mehmood Ahmad, JKPS, was adjusted as AIG (Hqrs.), while Shiv Deep Singh Jamwal, JKPS, was given Jammu Samba Kathua (JSK) Branch of ACB.
Similarly, Manzoor Ahmad Mir, JKPS, was adjusted in the APKS Branch, and Abdul Qayoom, JKPS, was given the DKR/UR Branch. Amit Verma, JKPS, was transferred from the PR Branch of ACB to AIG (Policy), and Kulwant Singh Jasrotia, JKPS, was moved from JSK Branch to AIG (Admn).
Pertinently, Wani was spearheading investigations into the massive corruption surrounding the Smart City project in Srinagar. Under Wani’s supervision, the ACB had initiated several high-profile investigations, including the misappropriation of materials and the use of substandard construction materials in the Srinagar Smart City project. His tenure saw the registration of multiple Preliminary Enquiries (PEs) and Disproportionate Assets (DA) cases against top officials involved in the project.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau initiated PE-01/2025 following credible reports of misappropriation of materials in the Smart City project. It is alleged that items like Devri Stones, Path Tiles, and Iron Grills, intended for the project, were either unaccounted for or sold in the open market for personal gains. The investigation focuses on the potential embezzlement of public funds during the beautification and development works undertaken in Srinagar’s Smart City initiative.
Another investigation under Wani’s supervision was into the use of substandard materials in ongoing development work along Foreshore Road, from Nishat to Naseem Bagh. Concerns were raised regarding the quality of materials used in the construction of cycle tracks, footpaths, and viewing decks, all intended to enhance the city’s infrastructure facing Dal Lake. The ACB also discovered that some Srinagar Smart City Ltd. officials, in collusion with contractors, circumvented mandatory procedures, compromising the integrity and safety of the project.
The ACB also launched a Disproportionate Assets (DA) investigation into Sajid Yousuf Bhat, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Srinagar Smart City Ltd., and Zahoor Ahmad Dar, the Executive Engineer of the same department. The investigation revealed that Bhat had accumulated assets significantly higher than his known sources of income, including a commercial property in Rambagh, Srinagar, valued far beyond the sale deed price. Multiple suspicious bank accounts and transactions have been linked to Bhat. The ACB has filed FIR No. 01/2025, charging Bhat with illicit enrichment under Section 13(1)(b) r/w 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Similarly, Zahoor Ahmad Dar is under investigation for owning a multi-storied house in Galibabad, Shalteng, Srinagar, as well as a sedan and various assets in the form of Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs). Investigations revealed suspicious bank transactions in Dar’s personal and spouse’s accounts, with properties suspected to be benami (proxy ownership). An FIR (No. 02/2025) has been registered against Dar, and search warrants have been executed across different locations connected to him.
As of now, both the misappropriation and DA investigations remain active, with search operations ongoing. The ACB has already executed several search warrants obtained from the Court of Law. These investigations are expected to reveal further details about the financial dealings of the accused, potentially implicating more individuals involved in the scandal. (KDC)
