In a recent development regarding the misappropriation of token fees at the RTO office, Additional Sessions Judge Anticorruption Jammu OP Bhagat has sent the challan back to the Crime Branch. The directive is for the Senior Superintendent of Police Crime Branch, Jammu, to conduct additional investigation promptly and submit a charge sheet.
The case stems from reports received on January 10, 2009, indicating discrepancies in the records of token fees deposited by transporters/owners. Instead of reflecting the correct amount of Rs 6000, records showed smaller amounts for two-wheelers (Rs 250 to Rs 500) deposited at the RTO office, leading to a suspected misappropriation of the remaining balance.
Additionally, irregularities were found in the issuance of driving licenses for passenger vehicles, with driving institutes’ certificates, no objection certificates, and attestations allegedly falsified by private agents.
Alleged offenses under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 201, 120-B RPC, and 5(2) of the PC Act were attributed to RTO Jammu officers/officials and agents. FIR No. 01/2009 was consequently registered at the Crime Branch Jammu Police Station.
Further investigation revealed that an amount of Rs 12,97,040 related to one-time token tax between April 1, 2004, and March 31, 2005, was intentionally misappropriated by officers/officials who held positions as Cashier and Accountants at the RTO office, Jammu. These findings were confirmed by an expert team from the Finance Department deputed by the Director Accounts & Treasury, Jammu, upon scrutinizing the seized records.
