Crime Branch Kashmir chargesheets retired employee for illegally availing migrant relief

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 19 (STC): A former Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department employee has been chargesheeted for allegedly fraudulently availing migrant relief worth over ₹18 lakh by misrepresenting his service status and unlawfully registering as a migrant along with his family members, said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K.
In a statement issued here the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) 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 ₹ 18,30,265, reads the statement.
Acting on a written complaint brought to its notice, the Crime Branch examined allegations that the accused, who served in the PHE Department, had dishonestly availed migrant relief in cash by illegal means.
According to the investigating agency, 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, it reads.
“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 agency said and added 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.
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, said the agency.

(Straight Talk Communications)