SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday filed a charge sheet against a former junior assistant in the Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Manjakote, Rajouri district, for alleged misappropriation of rice meant for the mid-day meal scheme. The case pertains to the alleged embezzlement of approximately 200 quintals of rice during the fourth quarter of the 2014-15 fiscal year.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the charge sheet was presented before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court in Rajouri. The accused, identified as Mohd. Farooq, who served as a junior assistant and was the dealing hand for the mid-day meal scheme in the ZEO Manjakote office, is alleged to have acted in connivance with others. The ACB’s investigation revealed that Shah Nawaz Khan, the then ZEO Manjakote (now deceased), and Mohd. Farooq allegedly manipulated official records to prepare forged indent and authority letters.
During the investigation, records were meticulously scrutinized, and following forensic science laboratory (FSL) opinions, it was prima facie established that the accused officials caused a significant loss to the state exchequer. The investigation found that 256.40 quintals of rice, valued at approximately ₹8,03,557.60, were misappropriated. Additionally, an amount of ₹4,61,578, intended for cooking costs under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme, was also allegedly misappropriated by the ZEO and Mohd. Farooq.
The total financial loss to the state exchequer due to these alleged actions is estimated to be ₹12,65,135.60. As the former ZEO Manjakote, Shah Nawaz Khan, has passed away, the ACB obtained the necessary sanction from the competent authority to prosecute the serving public servant, Mohd. Farooq.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir, has produced the charge sheet against Mohd. Farooq before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Rajouri. The court has scheduled the next date of hearing for September 29, 2026, to further proceed with the case.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
