The Rajouri Times
Date: May 31, 2025A Special Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court in Jammu has delivered a verdict in the long-pending Microscope Purchase Scam case involving the School Education Department. Five individuals, including four former government officials and one private supplier, have been convicted for their roles in the procurement of sub-standard microscopes at inflated rates in 2004–2005.
The case, registered in 2005 under FIR No. 10/2005 by the Vigilance Organization Jammu (now Anti-Corruption Bureau), revealed that the accused conspired to purchase a type of dissection microscope not suited for school laboratory requirements. The purchase was made in violation of the approved tender specifications (NIT), resulting in significant financial losses to the government and undue benefits to the supplier.
The convicted individuals are:
- Jatinder Kumar, former Accounts Officer, Directorate of School Education, Jammu
- Rameshwar Kumar Sharma, then Lecturer in Geology, SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu
- Balwan Singh, then Lecturer in Geology, State Institute of Education (SIE), Jammu
- Balbir Singh Jamwal, then Chief Education Officer, Udhampur
- Jaswinder Singh Manocha, Proprietor of M/s Cosmopolitan Traders, Jammu
Based on strong evidence presented by the prosecution, the court sentenced all five convicts as follows:
- Two years of simple imprisonment under Section 5(1)(d) read with 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006
- One year of simple imprisonment under Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (criminal conspiracy), with sentences to run concurrently
- Fines imposed: ₹25,000 on each public servant and ₹1,00,000 on the supplier. In case of non-payment, the defaulters will serve an additional three months of simple imprisonment
This conviction highlights the judiciary’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in public service.
Author: therajouritimes
LAKKAR MANDI JANIPUR JAMMU AND KASHMIR INDIA
