Srinagar- The Anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has filed a case against the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) and several other officials of his office in an alleged corruption case.
“A case FIR No. 03/2022 has been registered by ACB Baramulla on 28-01-2022 in Police Station ACB Baramulla against ARTO officials including ARTO Baramulla Mubashir Jan Bhat, Motor Vehicle Inspectors including Suhail Zam Zam Qadri & Abdul Majid Shah and few other officials.” An ACB officer, who did not wish to be named, told Kashmir Observer.
“The FIR has been registered for their illegal and corrupt practices in issuance of driving licenses and other documents.”
Pertinently, Last year, Sirajuddin Ahmed, a member of RTI movement, in his complaint had alleged that Mubashir Jan along with other officials was involved in “illegal and corrupt” activities by issuing illegal driving licenses and other documents to people who were not eligible for driving license as they had either failed to undergo a DL test or had failed the test.
In his complaint, Sirajuddin had also alleged that the ARTO officials were issuing DL or other documents to ineligible candidates through handpicked agents, charging a hefty amount of money from people.
The officer further said that after receiving a complaint against the officials, the ACB had launched a joint surprise check as per Vigilance act.
“After the joint surprise check was launched against the ARTO officials, the enquiry officer had followed the case for next few months and submitted his report requesting a case against the ARTO and other officials on the strong evidence available against the officials,” he said.
“The early evidence available with ACB has revealed that all the booked officers were working together in issuing illegal driving licenses and other documents to the ineligible persons,” he added.
As per the ACB official, a thorough investigation has been started into the case and a detailed report will be submitted to the higher authority with all the available evidence against the ARTO officials.
“None of the booked officials have been arrested yet but as soon as we’re done with the investigation and if the accused are found guilty, then they will be dealt with strictly under the given provisions of law.”
Notably, the case is being investigated under supervision of SSP ACB, Baramulla, Ayaz Sheikh.