Srinagar Smart City Scandal: ACB Uncovers Corruption and Lavish Lifestyles of Top Officials
||Black and White Digital News ||
||Parvinder Singh January 10,2025 ||
In a significant development that has raised questions about governance and accountability in the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) project, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has exposed a major corruption scandal involving two senior officials. The duo is accused of amassing wealth far beyond their legitimate sources of income, triggering an in-depth investigation into their financial dealings and lifestyle.
The Accused and Allegations:
The ACB has identified the accused as Executive Engineer Zahoor Ahmad Dar and Chief Financial Officer Sajid Yousuf Bhat of SSCL. Addressing a press conference, SSP ACB Waheed Ahmad Shah revealed that the bureau received numerous complaints about the officials’ extravagant lifestyles and suspicious financial activities.
Zahoor Ahmad Dar:
The Executive Engineer reportedly owns a lavish multi-storey house in Ghalib Abad, Shalteng, and a luxury sedan. Investigators uncovered dubious financial transactions involving his personal and joint bank accounts with his spouse, as well as illegal Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs).
Sajid Yousuf Bhat:
The Chief Financial Officer is accused of underreporting the value of a commercial property in Ram Bagh, Srinagar, in official records. Multiple bank accounts linked to him have shown suspicious transactions, suggesting corrupt practices.
ACB’s Investigative Actions:
The ACB has substantiated these allegations through a detailed investigation. FIRs have been registered against both officials, and search operations have been launched across multiple properties linked to the accused. Financial records, bank statements, and property documents are under scrutiny to assess the full scale of the corruption.
Disproportionate Assets: Both officials appear to have accumulated wealth far exceeding their known sources of income. This includes real estate holdings, luxury vehicles, and significant financial assets.
Suspicious Transactions: Bank accounts associated with both officials show evidence of financial irregularities, including unexplained deposits and transfers.
Misuse of Power: The SSP ACB emphasized that the accused exploited their official positions for personal gain, undermining the integrity of the Smart City project.
Public and Administrative Implications:
The Srinagar Smart City Limited project, part of India’s broader Smart Cities Mission, aims to improve urban infrastructure and governance. However, this scandal casts a shadow over the project’s credibility and raises concerns about systemic corruption within public institutions.
The allegations not only damage public trust but also highlight the need for stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent such malpractices. The revelations also intensify scrutiny on the administration’s ability to ensure transparency and accountability in developmental initiatives.
Ongoing Investigation:
The ACB has assured that the investigation will continue until the full extent of the accused officials’ corrupt activities is uncovered. Further searches and financial audits are underway, with the possibility of more individuals being implicated.
This corruption scandal has once again brought to the forefront the challenges of governance and accountability in large-scale urban development projects. As the ACB deepens its probe, the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for how public resources are managed and monitored in Jammu and Kashmir.
The public now awaits swift action to ensure justice and restore confidence in the administration’s commitment to ethical governance.
