Srinagar/RAJOURI/ June 5: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a corruption case following allegations of financial irregularities, procedural violations, and abuse of official position in connection with development works undertaken by the Horticulture Department at Zawoora Garden in Srinagar.
According to an official statement, the case was registered after a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) conducted by Police Station ACB Srinagar into allegations surrounding the development of the Centre of Excellence at Zawoora Garden. The enquiry reportedly uncovered prima facie evidence of serious irregularities in both the tendering process and execution of works under the project.
The ACB stated that the verification revealed that the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) had allegedly been framed without clearly defined technical specifications and quality parameters, thereby creating room for arbitrary decision-making and procedural manipulation.
Further scrutiny reportedly found that the financial estimates incorporated into the tender process were significantly higher than the provisions approved under the Detailed Project Report (DPR), raising concerns over possible financial mismanagement and undue advantage.
The enquiry also highlighted alleged discrepancies in the eligibility criteria related to financial turnover, which, according to investigators, had been set at an unusually high threshold despite lower actual requirements. The ACB alleged that this restrictive condition curtailed fair competition and disproportionately favoured a particular bidder.
The findings of the Joint Surprise Check, the statement noted, prima facie point towards abuse of official position, criminal misconduct, and criminal conspiracy involving public servants and a beneficiary private firm, resulting in undue pecuniary gains to the contractor and financial loss to the government exchequer.
In this regard, the ACB has registered FIR No. 09/2026 at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, along with Section 120-B RPC.
The case has been registered against the then Director Horticulture Kashmir, members of the District Level Purchase Committee (DLPC), members of the Inspection Committee, beneficiary contractor M/S Fruit Master Agro Fresh Pvt. Ltd., and other individuals allegedly involved in the matter.
The ACB further stated that investigations are underway to ascertain the precise role and culpability of all concerned individuals, with appropriate legal action to be initiated in accordance with the law.
(The Rajouri Times Reporter / TRT News Desk)
Source: TRT
Author: therajouritimes
Lakkar Mandi Janipur Jammu
