Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a charge-sheet against a former Junior Assistant of the Zonal Education Office (ZEO), Manjakote, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of rice and cooking costs under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, causing a loss of more than Rs 12.65 lakh to the state exchequer.
The charge-sheet was produced before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Rajouri, against Mohd Farooq, who was serving as a Junior Assistant and dealing hand for the Mid-Day Meal programme at the ZEO office in Manjakote.
The case pertains to FIR No. 26/2018, registered under provisions of the erstwhile J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code relating to cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy.
According to officials, the case was registered on December 28, 2018, at the then Police Station Vigilance Organisation Jammu, now ACB Jammu, following a verification that allegedly revealed large-scale misappropriation of rice meant for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Zone Manjakote.
The investigation initially focused on the alleged diversion of approximately 200 quintals of rice pertaining to the fourth quarter of the 2014-15 financial year. The probe subsequently established, prima facie, that 256.40 quintals of rice, valued at approximately Rs 8.04 lakh, had allegedly been misappropriated.
Investigators also found alleged misappropriation of Rs 4.61 lakh towards cooking costs, taking the total loss to the state exchequer to approximately Rs 12.65 lakh.
During the investigation, the ACB scrutinised official records obtained from the concerned department and also sought the opinion of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
Officials said the investigation prima facie established that Shah Nawaz Khan, the then ZEO Manjakote, and Mohd Farooq, the dealing hand for the Mid-Day Meal programme, allegedly abused their official positions and manipulated departmental records.
The accused allegedly prepared and used fake, forged and fabricated indents and authority letters to facilitate the withdrawal and subsequent misappropriation of rice allocated under the government scheme.
The ACB alleged that the records were manipulated to show transactions that did not correspond with the actual distribution and utilisation of the foodgrain.
According to the agency, the alleged acts resulted in the diversion of government-supplied rice and cooking-cost funds intended for beneficiaries of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
The investigation also named the then ZEO, Shah Nawaz Khan, as an accused. However, officials said Khan died during the course of the proceedings.
As a result, prosecution could not be launched against him. The ACB, meanwhile, obtained the requisite sanction from the competent authority to prosecute Mohd Farooq, who was an in-service public servant at the time relevant to the case.
Following completion of the investigation and the required legal formalities, the Anti-Corruption Bureau presented the charge-sheet before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Rajouri, on August 31, 2026.
The court has fixed September 29, 2026, as the next date of hearing.
The case highlights the ACB’s continuing focus on alleged corruption and financial irregularities involving government schemes, particularly those involving public funds and welfare benefits intended for vulnerable sections of society.
The allegations contained in the charge-sheet are subject to judicial scrutiny, and the accused is presumed innocent unless found guilty by a competent court.
