Srinagar, Jul 06 (KNO): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday said to have registered an FIR against five Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) officials and nine Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers for allegedly embezzling government food grains worth Rs 5.57 crore in Karnah area of Kupwara district.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the case FIR No. 02/2026 has been registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended), and Sections 61(2) and 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, after obtaining previous approval from the competent authority i.e GAD Government of U.T of J&K.
He said the case stems from a communication received from the Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Kashmir, seeking criminal action against the officials and FPS dealers after departmental inspections and physical verification revealed massive shortages of Government food grains. A Joint Surprise Check conducted at Government Sale Centres and Fair Price Shops initially detected a shortage of 4,175.89 quintals of rice at Lountha Granary, Karnah Kupwara.
“That subsequent comprehensive physical verification by a departmental Sub Committee and detailed verification by ACB uncovered substantial shortages at various Sale Centres and Fair Price Shops falling under Tangdhar, Karnah-A and Karnah-B Circles of District Kupwara, resulting in a loss to the Government exchequer amounting to Rs 5,57,18,657.25 (approximately Rs 5.57 crore) under a well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy involving public servants and private beneficiaries who allegedly dishonestly misappropriated Government food grains entrusted to them by abusing their official position for unlawful pecuniary gain, thereby causing substantial loss to the Government exchequer,” said the spokesperson.
He said based on the material collected during verification ACB registered the instant FIR against the accused public servants and FPS dealers for offences relating to criminal misconduct, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of Government food grains and criminal conspiracy.
“The case, inter alia, involves Umar Bashir alias Raja Umer, then Assistant Storekeeper, Ashiq Hussain Mir, then Assistant Storekeeper, along with twelve other accused comprising public servants and Fair Price Shop dealers.”
He said ummediately after registration of the case, searches are being conducted at multiple locations and other Legal proceedings have been initiated in accordance with law. Investigation is in progress.
“Anti-Corruption Bureau remains steadfast in its commitment to combating corruption and safeguarding public resources. The Bureau appeals to the general public to actively support the fight against corruption by reporting instances of corruption through the ACB Helpline or official e-mail.”—(KNO)