Srinagar: A major case of fraud in government recruitment has surfaced in Jammu & Kashmir, where a detailed investigation by the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch has exposed a deep-rooted scam involving fake appointments, forged documents, and misuse of official authority in the Power Development Department (PDD).
Following the completion of investigation, the agency has filed a chargesheet before the competent court under FIR No. 46/2023. The case has brought forward serious allegations against Nasir Ahmad Mir of Bandipora and Mushtaq Ahmad Malik of Aragam, Bandipora. A deceased senior official from the department has also been named in connection with alleged lapses and facilitation of irregularities.
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How The Fraud Worked
According to the investigation findings, Nasir Ahmad Mir allegedly secured government employment through a fabricated appointment order under the SRO-43 (1994) scheme. However, during verification, investigators found that no such appointment order existed in official departmental records, raising serious doubts about its authenticity and legality.
The probe further revealed a deeper layer of manipulation. Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, who was then serving as a Senior Assistant, is alleged to have prepared a forged service book for Nasir Ahmad Mir. The document falsely depicted his appointment as valid under SRO-43. Forensic examination confirmed that the entries and signatures in the service book were made by Malik himself, clearly pointing towards deliberate fabrication of official records.
Investigators also discovered that there were no dispatch or receipt records related to the alleged appointment order in the department. This meant there was no official proof that the appointment was ever issued or processed through proper administrative channels. Despite this, salary and service-related benefits were continuously extended to the individual.
Systemic Lapses
One of the most serious findings of the investigation was that salary payments were released in 2009, nearly three years after the alleged appointment date, without proper verification. This highlighted significant procedural lapses and failure of internal control mechanisms within the department.
A local administrative verification further confirmed that Nasir Ahmad Mir was not eligible for appointment under the SRO-43 scheme, as his family background did not meet the required criteria specified under the policy guidelines.
The investigation concluded that the accused acted in a coordinated criminal conspiracy involving forgery, cheating, and misuse of official position. Based on these findings, charges have been framed under Sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. Relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act have also been invoked against the public servants involved.
Officials associated with the investigation stated that the case is not limited to a single fraudulent appointment, but also highlights systemic weaknesses, procedural gaps, and possible internal collusion within the administrative framework.
With the filing of the chargesheet, the case has now entered the judicial phase, where all evidence and facts will undergo detailed scrutiny. The outcome is expected to determine accountability and expose the full extent of the alleged recruitment fraud.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
