Srinagar, Dec 9,: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a charge sheet against three officials of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in connection with an alleged rice diversion case in north Kashmir.
Officials said the charge sheet in FIR No. 07/2020 under Sections 409, 420 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code has been submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore. Those named include Siraj-ud-Din Bhat, then Tehsil Supply Officer PEG Baramulla; Muhammad Hussain Bhat, then TSO and storekeeper at Hygam Granary; and Muhammad Shafi Rather, also known as Shafi Kanda, then TSO Hygam Granary.
The case was registered after the FCS&CA Directorate reported suspected misappropriation of rice from Hygam Granary and Baramulla Centre D. A joint surprise check ordered by the Crime Branch found that seven truckloads of rice were shown as dispatched from PEG Baramulla and later distributed to several sale centres.
However, the sale centres at Wagoora, Nowpora, Kathigan Jathiar, Kalantra and Dandmoh denied receiving any such stock, a claim supported by their official records.
Investigators said the accused officials allegedly acted in criminal conspiracy and diverted the rice, causing loss to the state exchequer. The matter is now before the court for judicial determination. [KNT]
