Rice Diversion Scam: Charge-sheet filed against senior FCS&CA officials

STATE TIMES NEWS

SOPORE: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a charge-sheet in FIR No. 07/2020 under Sections 409, 420, and 120-B RPC against three senior officers of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department, in a major rice diversion scam.
The accused include Siraj-ud-Din Bhat, Mohd Hussain Bhat, and Mohammad Shafi Rather, who held key positions in PEG Baramulla and Hygam granaries.
The case came to light following a communication from the Directorate of FCS&CA regarding suspected misappropriation of rice from Hygam and Baramulla granaries. Acting on the inputs, a probe was launched, and a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) revealed serious discrepancies in rice dispatch records. Seven truckloads of rice were allegedly recorded as delivered to multiple sale centres, which, however, denied receiving any stock.
Further investigation confirmed that fraudulent challans were procured and managed by the accused officers in collusion with certain FCI officials, resulting in significant loss to the state exchequer.
Commenting on the development, SP EOW, Crime Branch Kashmir, said, “The investigation established clear criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of government food grains. The charge-sheet has been filed based on documentary and oral evidence, and we are confident that the judicial process will ensure accountability.”
The charge-sheet under Section 173 Cr.PC has now been submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, for further judicial proceedings.