ACB Registers FIR Against Former CAPD Employee for Amassing Disproportionate Assets

Srinagar, August 30: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR against Mohd Shafi Rather, also known as Kanda, a former Class IV employee in the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department in Baramulla, for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets worth crores of rupees.

The investigation, which began with a verification process, revealed that Rather, a resident of Wanigam Bala Pattan in Baramulla District, had accumulated substantial wealth far beyond his known sources of income during his tenure in the CAPD. Rather, who initially worked as a commission agent at a fair price shop before being appointed as a Class IV employee (Kandaman) in CAPD Baramulla, is accused of conspiring with other officials to acquire significant assets through corrupt practices.

According to the ACB, the probe uncovered various properties and investments made by Rather, including:

• A double-story residential house under construction in Wanigam Bala, Pattan, valued at Rs. 40.34 lakhs.
• Another double-story house in the same area, worth Rs. 32.92 lakhs.
• A single-story concrete house and 5 marlas of land in Bathindi, Jammu, amounting to Rs. 32 lakhs.
• Investments totaling Rs. 1.50 crore in a joint purchase of 107 kanals of land in Mouza Nehalpora Poshwani, Pattan, valued at Rs. 7.30 crore (2018).
• Additional investments of Rs. 64.01 lakhs in a joint purchase of 30 kanals of land in Bhat Colony Hartrath Singhpora, Baramulla, valued at Rs. 7.50 crore (2019).
• Further investigations revealed that Rather owned several other properties across various locations, including:
  • Land purchases in Jammu, Baramulla, and other regions, amounting to millions of rupees.
  • Investments in gold ornaments worth Rs. 24.10 lakhs.
  • Life insurance policies and other financial assets.

  The ACB noted that Rather had acquired these assets without obtaining the necessary permissions from the competent authorities, a violation of the J&K Public Men and Public Servants (Declaration of Assets & Other Provisions) Act, 1983. Other officials who allegedly facilitated Rather’s corrupt practices have also been booked under section 109 RPC for abetment.

  Following the registration of FIR No. 11-2024 under section 5(1)(e) read with section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and sections 12/14 of the J&K Public Men and Public Servants (Declaration of Assets & Other Provisions) Act, 1983, search warrants were obtained from the Anti-Corruption Court in Baramulla. Searches were conducted simultaneously at eight locations in Pattan, Baramulla, and Bathindi, Jammu, in the presence of executive magistrates and independent witnesses. Several incriminating documents related to the acquisition of land, properties, and other assets were seized during the operation.

  The ACB has stated that the investigation is ongoing, with further scrutiny of the assets and financial transactions of the accused.