Food Department Storekeeper Makes Millions Through Corrupt Practices
Srinagar, May 21: The Anti-Corruption Bureau has formally registered a case against Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, an In-charge Storekeeper in the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department, on charges of accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The case was registered following a detailed verification exercise that raised serious red flags about Bhat’s financial conduct during his tenure.
According to the ACB, Bhat, son of Abdul Rashid Bhat and a resident of Tarzoo Sopore, currently residing at Sidiq Colony, Noorabad Bypass Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, joined the department as a Depot Assistant in 1998. While holding the position of In-charge Storekeeper at various locations between January 2008 and December 2016, he is alleged to have acquired considerable moveable and immovable properties both in his name and that of his family members.
The investigation revealed that Bhat had made several high-value purchases during this period, including land parcels at Pratap Garh Mirgund and Nowpora Kalan Sopore, as well as a residential plot in Rakh Arath Housing Colony, Bemina, Srinagar. On this Bemina plot, he is said to have constructed a double-storey house between 2014 and 2016.
Additionally, he purchased a Maruti-800 vehicle and a Scooty in 2013, further raising concerns about his financial dealings given his official salary scale.
The verification process also uncovered significant and unexplained cash deposits in the bank accounts of Bhat and his family members. These transactions are now under thorough examination as part of the ongoing probe. The cumulative value of the assets and expenditures far exceeded his known and legal income sources, and Bhat reportedly failed to provide satisfactory justification when confronted with these findings.
Following the registration of the case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau sought and obtained search warrants from the Anti-Corruption Court in Baramulla. Raids were conducted at various locations associated with the accused, leading to the seizure of documents and other incriminating material relevant to the investigation. These searches were conducted under the supervision of magistrates.
Officials said that further investigation is underway to determine the full scale of the illegal wealth and the sources of these acquisitions. The case has once again brought to light the deep-rooted issue of corruption in public offices and the urgent need for stricter oversight and transparency in the system. [KNT]
