BuzzBytes Jammu 01 December,
In a recent development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against a Special Secretary of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, currently posted in the Agriculture & Production Department. Alongside, a Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO) and a private individual are implicated in the bribery case, as revealed by the CBI before the Special Judge Anti Corruption (CBI cases) Jammu, Bala Jyoti.
The case, registered on April 6, 2023, involved Sarbjit Singh, Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu, and other unknown individuals. The complaint, lodged by Satvir Singh Raina, Chief Horticulture Officer attached to the Directorate of Agriculture, Govt of J&K, alleged that Sarbjit Singh demanded a bribe of Rs.10 lakhs for various purposes, including influencing his posting and resolving departmental issues such as promotion.
A trap was laid by the CBI on April 7, 2023, resulting in the red-handed apprehension of Sarbjit Singh while accepting the bribe on behalf of Mohd. Farooq Dar, the Special Secretary in the Agriculture & Production Department, Govt. of J&K. The investigation uncovered a network involving a private person, Gohar Ahmed Dar, acting as a middleman in the collection of bribes.
Searches conducted at the residences of the accused yielded cash amounting to Rs.3.5 lakhs and relevant documents, including those related to movable and immovable properties. The investigation, assisted by technical tools and forensic analysis, unveiled the entire criminal conspiracy orchestrated by the accused.
The findings indicated that Mohd. Farooq Dar conspired with Gohar Ahmed Dar and Sarbjit Singh to demand a bribe for the complainant’s transfer and to address departmental issues. Notably, official information regarding the complainant’s transfer/posting was illicitly shared from Mohd. Farooq Dar to Gohar Ahmed Dar, who further conveyed it to Sarbjit Singh.
In furtherance of the criminal conspiracy, Sarbjit Singh accepted the bribe from the complainant, handing it over to Gohar Ahmed Dar, who was supposed to deliver it to Mohd. Farooq Dar. Mohd. Farooq Dar, in adherence to the conspiracy, initiated the proposal for the complainant’s transfer, disregarding established procedures and recommendations.
The charge sheet, filed under section 120-B IPC r/w section 7 of PC Act 1988, includes substantive offenses against Mohd. Farooq Dar, Sarbjit Singh, and Gohar Ahmed Dar. The case will now proceed before the Special Judge, Anti Corruption (CBI Cases), Jammu.
