Srinagar, Jan 10 (KNO): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday registered cases against two Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) officers for owning assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
Addressing a press conference, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Headquarters ACB, Abdul Waheed Shah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the duo including Sajid Yousuf Bhat, Chief Financial Officer and Zahoor Ahmad Dar, Executive Engineer SSCL have been booked on the charges of owning assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. "The case has been registered while searches are underway at 7 locations in this regard," Shah said without divulging details.
"We have registered cases and further details can be shared only after the searches and investigation is completed," ACB’s AIG Headquarters said when asked about involvement of more officials.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued to KNO, an ACB spokesman said that the bureau conducted a secret verification into the allegation that Sajid Yousuf Bhat, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Zahoor Ahmad Dar, Executive Engineer both presently posted in Srinagar Smart City Limited have accumulated assets disproportionate to their lawful known source of income & suspects were also living lavish & luxurious lives.
“Sajid Yousuf Bhat owns a commercial property at Rambagh Srinagar having actual price significantly higher than the value of sale deed paid by suspect, besides multiple bank accounts with suspicious transactions. In this way, the public servant namely Sajid Yousuf Bhat S/o Mohammad Yousuf Bhat R/o Namblabal Pampore, A/p Doulatabad Khanyar Srinagar, presently posted as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Srinagar Smart City Limited, has enriched himself illicitly by indulging in corrupt practices which attract commission of offence under section 13(1) (b) r/w 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 for possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of lawful income,” the statement reads.
Accordingly, the statement reads that a case under FIR number 01/2025 has been registered in Police Station ACB Srinagar.
“Zahoor Ahmad Dar owns lavish multi-storied house at Lane N0. 5, Galibabad, Shalteng Srinagar, one Sedan car, suspicious bank transactions in personal accounts & accounts of his spouse, acquisition of Benami properties & huge assets in form of FDRs. In this way, the public servant namely Zahoor Ahmad Dar, S/o Ab. Razak Dar R/o Takinwaripora Srinagar A/p Galibabad Lane No. 5 Shalteng, Srinagar, presently posted as Executive Engineer, Srinagar Smart City Limited, has enriched himself illicitly by indulging in corrupt practices which prima-facie attract commission of offence under section 13(1)(b) r/w 13(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for possession of assets which are prima-facie disproportionate to his known sources of lawful income,” the ACB said.
Accordingly, the statement added that a case under FIR number 02/2025 has been registered in Police Station ACB Srinagar.
“Search warrants were obtained from the Hon’ble Court of law and searches are underway at different locations associated with these cases and investigation is in progress,” the statement added—(KNO)