Srinagar, June 5: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu and Kashmir has registered a case against several officials and a private contractor following allegations of corruption, financial irregularities, and procedural violations in development works carried out at Zawoora Garden in Srinagar.
According to an official statement, the case was registered after a Joint Surprise Check conducted by Police Station ACB Srinagar into the execution of works related to the Centre of Excellence project at Zawoora Garden. The enquiry reportedly uncovered prima facie evidence of serious lapses in the tendering process and execution of the project.
Investigations revealed that the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) allegedly lacked clear technical specifications and quality benchmarks, creating room for arbitrary decision-making. The enquiry further found that financial provisions included in the tender were significantly higher than those approved in the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
The ACB also observed that the eligibility criteria concerning financial turnover were allegedly fixed at an unusually high level, despite the actual project requirements being much lower. This condition is believed to have restricted competition and provided an undue advantage to a particular bidder.
The findings indicate alleged abuse of official position, criminal misconduct, and criminal conspiracy involving public servants and a beneficiary private firm, resulting in wrongful financial gains to the contractor and a corresponding loss to the government exchequer.
Following the enquiry, FIR No. 09/2026 has been registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under relevant provisions of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B RPC against the then Director Horticulture Kashmir, members of the District Level Purchase Committee (DLPC), members of the Inspection Committee, beneficiary firm M/S Fruit Master Agro Fresh Pvt. Ltd., and other persons involved in the case.
The ACB said further investigation is underway to ascertain the role of all accused individuals and determine accountability, adding that legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.(KNC)
