Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 7: The Additional Sessions Judge Anticorruption Doda, Amarjeet Singh Langeh, has framed charges against Jugal Kishore, a store-keeper in the Department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), in a case related to disproportionate assets.
The chargesheet alleges that, following an open verification, it was revealed that the accused had accumulated substantial assets beyond his known sources of income through illegal and corrupt practices while serving as a store-keeper in the Ramban-Gool region. An FIR (First Information Report) was registered under Section 5(1)(e) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, and an investigation commenced.
During the investigation, it was found that the accused, in his capacity as a store-keeper, had amassed disproportionate assets in the form of movable and immovable properties. The immovable properties included a double-storied residential house in Kuleed, Mohalla, Waseer-Kishtwar, a single-storey residential house in Block-B, House No. 3/34, Lane No. 2, Roopnagar Enclave, Jammu (constructed on 10 Marlas of land), 43 Kanals of land in Dool, Kishtwar, and an additional plot measuring 13 Marlas in Survey No. 772 located at Mohalla Kuleed-Kishtwar. The investigation also revealed various movable assets, such as furniture, 40 tolas of gold jewelry, different types of vehicles, a revolver, a single barrel gun, an NP Bore rifle, motorcycles, and more. The investigation concluded that the accused's disproportionate assets amounted to 166.98%, as detailed in the chargesheet.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Additional Sessions Judge, Amarjeet Singh Langeh, observed that at the stage of framing charges in a criminal case, it is not necessary to conduct an extensive inquiry into the allegations or ascertain the truthfulness, sufficiency, and acceptability of the material produced by the investigating agency. The focus at this stage is on the existence of prima facie evidence that provides grounds for presuming the accused's involvement in the alleged offenses. In this case, the material available on record establishes, prima facie, the accused's involvement in accumulating disproportionate assets, both movable and immovable. Accordingly, charges under Section 5(1)(e) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act have been framed against the accused, who pleads not guilty and seeks a trial. The charge form has been placed on record. |
