| Charges framed against CEO, ZEO, others in corruption case | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 30: The Special Judge of the Anticorruption Court in Jammu, Tahir Khurshid Raina, has framed charges against Tarsem Lal, the former Chief Education Officer of Jammu, Ram Rakha, the former ZEO of Chowki Choura, Jammu, Sheru Ram, the former Headmaster of Govt. High School Mallah, and Priti Rani. The charges have been filed under Sections 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code. The prosecution's case alleges that the accused public servants, including Sheru Ram, Ram Rakha, and Tarsem Lal, misused their official positions to provide undue benefits to Priti Rani in her appointment as a ReT Teacher at Govt. High School Mallah. A preliminary verification conducted by the ACB found that despite knowing that Priti Rani's category certificate had expired, Ram Rakha prepared a select list where she ranked first. Tarsem Lal, despite clear directions to keep the engagement order pending in case of discrepancies, processed her case, leading to her illegal appointment. The illegal engagement of Priti Rani as a ReT Teacher in Govt. High School Mallah under the ALC category disregarded the government order providing special dispensation for recruitment in socially and educationally backward areas. This illegal appointment allowed Priti Rani to withdraw a salary of Rs. 99,000/- until February 2017. The FIR was registered against the public servants and Priti Rani for offenses under Sections 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and Section 120-B of the RPC, leading to an investigation in the case. After hearing both sides, Special Judge Tahir Khurshid Raina observed that there is prima facie evidence to suggest that the accused committed offenses under the mentioned sections. |
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