Srinagar, July 6: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has registered a corruption case against five officials of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department and nine Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers in connection with the alleged misappropriation of government food grains worth over ₹5.57 crore in Karnah area of Kupwara district.
According to an official handout issued to KNC, the ACB registered FIR No. 02/2026 at Police Station ACB Baramulla under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, after obtaining the required sanction from the competent authority in the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The case was initiated following a communication from the Director of the FCS&CA Department, Kashmir, seeking criminal investigation after departmental inspections and physical verification exposed large-scale shortages of food grains.
Officials said a Joint Surprise Check conducted at Government Sale Centres and Fair Price Shops first detected a shortage of 4,175.89 quintals of rice at the Lountha Granary in Karnah. Subsequent inspections carried out by a departmental sub-committee, along with an independent verification by the ACB, reportedly uncovered further shortages at several Sale Centres and Fair Price Shops operating under the Tangdhar, Karnah-A and Karnah-B circles.
The investigation has estimated the total financial loss to the government exchequer at ₹5,57,18,657.25, amounting to nearly ₹5.57 crore.
The ACB alleged that the shortages were the result of a well-planned criminal conspiracy involving government officials and private beneficiaries, who allegedly abused their official positions to dishonestly divert and misappropriate government food grains for personal financial gain.
Among those named in the FIR are Umar Bashir alias Raja Umer, then Assistant Storekeeper, Ashiq Hussain Mir, then Assistant Storekeeper, along with several other public servants and Fair Price Shop dealers.
Following the registration of the case, the ACB conducted searches at multiple locations linked to the accused and initiated further legal proceedings. The investigation is currently underway.
Reaffirming its commitment to fighting corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau said it will continue taking strict action against those involved in misuse of public resources. The Bureau also urged citizens to report corruption through its official helpline or email so that prompt action can be taken.(KNC)
