85 officials of CAPD facing corruption charges in J&K

As many as 85 officials of Jammu and Kashmir Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department are facing corruption and embezzlement charges for over a decade.
The officials, who are facing investigations, include 16 retired employees, five who have been pre-maturely given retirement by the government and five died in the last 10 years, CAPD Minister Zulfikar Ali said in a written reply in the state Assembly here.
"While 38 officials are facing investigations in the valley, the number of officials against whom cases are pending in vigilance organisation and Crime Branch Jammu stands at 43," he said.
In addition, four other officials are facing regular departmental actions, the minister said.

Among the 38 officials facing investigations in the valley, all of them were suspended immediately but subsequently reinstated subject to outcome of FIR on the recommendation of inquiry committee, Ali said.
While most of them were involved in black-marketing of sugar and flour, one is facing murder charges and four others sexual harassment cases, the minister said, adding, investigations have been completed in five cases and charge sheets have been filed against the officials in court of law for judicial determination.

The rest of the cases are still under investigation.
Ali said the investigation against 37 officials in Jammu region are pending in State Vigilance Organisation.

Similarly, cases against six officials are pending in Crime Branch, Jammu.
While the Crime Branch has produced charge-sheet before anti-corruption court, the official obtained stay orders from the high court and the case is sub-judice, he said, adding, investigation against five officials was still ongoing.
He said four officials are facing regular departmental actions.
While one of the officials, who retired from the service, had not responded to the article of charges served to him, three others furnished their replies and are under examination.