Srinagar, Aug 3: The Court of the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Kashmir, Srinagar, on Monday granted regular bail to 12 accused persons in the alleged Fire and Emergency Services recruitment paper leak and corruption case registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Central Srinagar.
The case stems from FIR No. 01/2025 registered by the ACB over alleged irregularities, corruption and manipulation in the recruitment process of the Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services Department.
According to the prosecution, the FIR has been registered under Sections 7 and 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code relating to forgery, use of forged documents and other allied offences.
The bail order was passed by Special Judge Anti-Corruption Kashmir, Tasleem Arief, who directed the immediate release of all the 12 accused presently lodged in Central Jail Srinagar after furnishing bail bonds of ₹50,000 each with one surety of the like amount, besides a personal bond of ₹50,000 each, subject to strict compliance with the conditions laid down in the order.
While allowing the bail applications, the Special Court directed the accused to fully cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and to appear before the investigating agency whenever required during the course of investigation. The accused have also been directed to remain present before the trial court on every date of hearing unless specifically exempted in accordance with law.
The court further restrained the accused from directly or indirectly inducing, threatening, influencing or contacting any prosecution witness or any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case. They have also been directed not to commit any offence similar to the one alleged against them during the pendency of the trial.
As an additional condition, the Special Court ordered that none of the accused shall leave the territorial limits of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir without obtaining prior permission from the court.
After the execution and attestation of the requisite bail bonds, the court directed the Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar to release all the accused forthwith, provided they are not required in connection with any other FIR or criminal case.
Advocate Rehan Gowhar appeared on behalf of the accused persons and advanced arguments before the Special Anti-Corruption Court, seeking their release on regular bail.
The alleged Fire and Emergency Services recruitment paper leak case continues to be under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), while further proceedings in the matter shall continue before the competent court in accordance with law. (KNC)
