EOW Kashmir files chargesheet against 5 for forging Edu Dept appointment, transfer orders

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against five persons for allegedly preparing forged appointment, transfer and relieving orders in the Education Department.

The chargesheet was presented before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, in connection with FIR 36/2021 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 and 120-B of the RPC.

The accused have been identified as Nisar Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Hussan Bhat of Iqbal Colony, Tral, Pulwama; Shakir Gull, son of Sheikh Gul Mohammad of Kachdoora, Shopian; Mohammad Ayaz Rather, son of Abdul Rehman Rather of Takipora, Ratnipora, Shopian; Sheikh Ruhail Ahmad, son of Sheikh Shafiq Ahmad of Kachdoora, Shopian; and Tanveer Ahmad Rather, son of Abdul Rahman Rather of Khudpora Mowgam, Anantnag.

According to the Crime Branch, the case originated from a communication received from the Director of School Education Kashmir, which revealed that three persons had joined as teachers in Zone Nagam, Charar-i-Sharief, Budgam, based on purported transfer and adjustment orders allegedly issued by the Directorate.

A probe was subsequently ordered, during which the documents were found to bear forged signatures, order numbers and dispatch and endorsement numbers, the agency said.

Records obtained from the Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Nagam and the Chief Education Office (CEO) Budgam confirmed that Mohammad Ayaz Rather, Sheikh Ruhail Ahmad and Tanveer Ahmad Rather had been transferred or adjusted on the basis of the questioned documents.

Verification conducted with the Directorate of School Education Kashmir further established that its order book had been closed as of December 31, 2019, indicating that the order and endorsement numbers cited in the documents were fictitious, the Crime Branch said.

The investigation also revealed that the three individuals had never been appointed anywhere in the Education Department.

According to the agency, the accused Nisar Ahmad Bhat, a teacher, and Shakir Gull allegedly acted as facilitators and intermediaries. Bhat allegedly arranged the means and machinery used for the fabrication and printing of the forged official documents.

The allegations were found to have been substantiated during the investigation, following which the chargesheet was presented before the court for judicial determination.

The Crime Branch has advised members of the public to remain vigilant against economic fraud and report any suspicious activity to the SSP, EOW Kashmir.

Complaints can also be lodged through email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in, the agency said.