ACB files DA case against government official in Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against an official for possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

A spokesperson said the case has been filed against the official—Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat—a resident of Srinagar presently posted in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.

Officials said a discreet verification conducted by the Bureau into the financial transactions and asset holdings revealed that Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat has accumulated “assets grossly disproportionate to his known and legitimate sources of income.”

The assets identified during the verification include a residential house situated at Srinagar, land in Srinagar and movable assets including luxury vehicles.

“The verification also brought to light substantial expenditures incurred on the higher education of his children. Scrutiny of various bank accounts revealed multiple suspicious transactions and unexplained cash deposits,” the spokesperson said.

Officials said Bhat and his family members were found operating several bank lockers in J&K Bank, and were in possession of multiple immovable properties of considerable value. “The public servant was also found to be maintaining a lifestyle that is inconsistent with his declared income,” the spokesperson said.

According to ACB, a formal case has been registered against Bhat at the ACB Police Station in Srinagar.

Following the registration of the FIR, search warrants were obtained from the competent court and simultaneous search operations were carried out at the residential and other premises of the accused.

The searches were conducted by ACB teams in the presence of Executive Magistrates and were facilitated by the local police and other agencies. During the course of these searches, incriminating documents and evidence pertaining to both movable and immovable assets were recovered,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Further investigation in the matter is underway.”

J & K