The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has recently intensified its crackdown on corruption, booking a storekeeper and a clerk from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office for amassing crores in disproportionate assets. These actions, under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, reflect the ACB’s commitment to rooting out graft at the grassroots level. In 2024, the ACB registered 87 FIRs, including 13 disproportionate assets cases, and conducted raids across J&K, recovering illicit wealth and exposing corrupt practices.
However, the spotlight must also turn to the “big sharks” involved in high-profile scams, particularly the mismanagement of Srinagar Smart City Project funds. Launched in 2017 with ₹3,634 crore allocated for urban development, the project has been marred by allegations of corruption. In January 2025, the ACB booked two senior officials—Sajid Yousuf Bhat, Chief Financial Officer, and Zahoor Ahmad Dar, Executive Engineer—of Srinagar Smart City Limited for possessing assets disproportionate to their income, including lavish properties and suspicious bank transactions. The ACB also initiated a preliminary enquiry into the misuse of materials like Devari stones and substandard construction in projects such as cycle tracks and footpaths.
While these arrests are commendable, the Smart City Project’s persistent issues—delays, cost overruns, and poor-quality work—suggest deeper systemic corruption. A 2022 CAG report highlighted irregularities in project execution across India, and J&K is no exception. The ACB’s ongoing raids at seven locations and scrutiny of financial records indicate a broader investigation, but high-level officials and contractors allegedly involved in siphoning funds remain largely untouched.
To restore public trust, the ACB must prioritize high-profile cases with the same vigor as lower-level ones. Strengthening oversight, as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission, and using technology to track fund allocation can curb mismanagement. Whistleblower protections under the J&K Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets Act, 1983, should be enforced to encourage reporting. The ACB’s toll-free helpline (1800-180-7152) and confidential complaint system are steps forward, but only fearless pursuit of influential culprits will ensure justice. J&K deserves a corruption-free Smart City initiative that delivers on its promise of urban transformation.
