ACB Charges 10, Including Former Executive Engineers Sultan Sheikh & Ajit Singh Chopra, in Rs 7.12 Lakh Lastiyal–Kalaroose Bridge Embezzlement Case
Srinagar, August 10, 2026: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has filed a charge-sheet against 10 accused persons, including nine public servants and a private contractor, in a case involving alleged embezzlement of government store material, fraudulent release of security deposits, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy in connection with the construction of the Lastiyal–Kalaroose steel bridge in Kupwara.
The charge-sheet was presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, following an investigation into alleged financial irregularities that caused a loss of ₹7.12 lakh to the state exchequer.
The case originated from an open verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organisation Kashmir into allegations that the beneficiary contractor, in alleged connivance with officials of the PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara, caused financial loss to the government.
According to the investigation, the bridge work was allotted to private contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with a stipulated completion period of three months. The contractor allegedly commenced the work after considerable delay, executed only part of the project and subsequently abandoned the construction.
The investigation found that government store material, including cement and steel, valued at approximately ₹5.63 lakh, remained unaccounted for and was not recovered.
The ACB further alleged that the contractor’s Contract Deposit Receipt (CDR) amounting to ₹73,000 was fraudulently released and encashed on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority.
The probe also revealed alleged irregular release of bill deposits amounting to ₹81,400, despite outstanding government liabilities. The investigation found alleged lapses on the part of engineering and accounts officials in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and ensuring recovery of government dues.
The ACB has accordingly assessed the total loss caused to the state exchequer at ₹7,12,150, allegedly due to the acts and omissions of the accused public servants in connivance with the private contractor.
After completion of the investigation, the competent authority accorded the requisite sanction for prosecution against the in-service public servants. Based on oral, documentary, scientific and other evidence collected during the investigation, the ACB charge-sheeted the following 10 accused:
Abdul Majeed Malik, then Helper/Assistant Cashier, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Ghulam Rasool Lone, then Cashier/Senior Assistant, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Mohammad Sultan Sheikh (Retd.), then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Er. Ajit Singh Chopra (Retd.), then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Er. Nazir Ahmad Shah (Retd.), then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Er. Abdul Rashid Dar (Retd.), then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Er. Manzoor Ahmad Sumji, then Junior Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Gh. Qadir Bhat (Retd.), then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Abdul Hamid Dar, then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara
Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone, private contractor/beneficiary
All 10 accused were produced before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, along with the charge-sheet on Monday. The court admitted them to bail after they furnished the requisite bail and surety bonds as directed.
The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing.
The allegations are subject to judicial determination, and all accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with law. ANB
