Srinagar, June 21, KDC: A local court in Srinagar has convicted Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Nabi Bhat and a resident of Bhagi Sunder Payeen, Chattabal, in a decades-old embezzlement case involving misappropriation of government property and fraud amounting to lakhs of rupees.
The Court of the City Judge (Judicial Magistrate 1st Class) pronounced the verdict in FIR No. 66/2003, registered at Crime Branch Kashmir, under sections 409, 420, and 468 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The case originated from a written complaint submitted on behalf of the Secretary, J&K Industries Ltd., to the Crime Branch Kashmir, along with supporting documents, it said.
The complaint alleged that stock verification at the Government Woollen Mills, Bemina, Srinagar, had revealed several discrepancies, including short accountals, delayed ledger entries, and unauthorized movement of materials from finishing stores to excise-paid godowns and various outlets on fake invoices through illegal channels during the period 1995–96 to 2001–2003, reads a press release issued to the KDC.
“The enquiry conducted into the matter pointed to the involvement of Fayaz Ahmad Bhat in the misappropriation of government property amounting to lakhs of rupees through deceitful means, thereby defrauding the state exchequer and securing wrongful gain. Subsequently, FIR No. 66/2003 was registered at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir,” read the statement.
Upon completion of the investigation, a charge-sheet was presented before the court on 24.01.2008. Charges under Sections 409, 420, and 468 RPC were framed against the accused.
“After hearing the case, the Hon’ble Court sentenced the accused to simple imprisonment for two years along with a fine of Rs. 5,000 under Section 409 RPC. Additionally, the court awarded two years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 under Section 420 RPC, and another two years of simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 5,000 under Section 468 RPC,” it added.
The court further directed that in the event of default in payment of the fine, the accused shall undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment. All sentences shall run concurrently. (KDC)