Early Times Report
JAMMU, June 14: After a significant delay of five years, the Crime Branch Jammu has finally registered an FIR in connection with a fraudulent procurement of 114,240 liters of kerosene oil in Rajouri District. The accused, Gourav Ojha, son of Ved Parkash Ojha and a resident of Ward no. 6 Thuddi, Jawahar Nagar, Rajouri, allegedly conspired with Ajib-Ur-Rehman Mirza, an official from the FCS&CA Rajouri department. Gourav Ojha, without possessing a valid license for a kerosene oil depot, orchestrated the fraudulent scheme. Between November 2015 and August 2018, they illicitly procured and withdrew the aforementioned quantity of kerosene oil, leading to financial losses for the government. The FIR has been registered under sections 420, 120-B RPC, and section 5(2) of the PC Act, vide FIR No. 50/2023. The complaint was initially filed in 2018 by Nikunj Sharma, an Advocate from the J&K High Court Jammu, against Gourav Ojha and his brothers Sorve Ojha and Sparsh Ojha, accusing them of cheating the FCS&CA Rajouri department and misappropriating large quantities of kerosene oil for their personal transportation business. The FIR, however, has been registered only against Gourav Ojha and Ajib-Ur-Rehman Mirza, and the other accused have yet to be apprehended. The Crime Branch is currently conducting an investigation into the matter and is expected to uncover additional offenses before presenting the case in court.
In relation to the 114,240 liters Kerosene Oil Scam, it was revealed that a license for a kerosene oil depot, numbered DFSJ/697-A/SKO, was initially issued to Pankaj Vaid, son of Sita Ram Vaid, on July 11, 2001. The depot was located in Mera Kote Dhara, approximately 15 kilometers away from Rajouri city. Clause 2 of the license specifically stated that "the licensee shall carry on the business in kerosene oil at the following premises only, i.e., Mera Kote Dhara."
However, Gourav Ojha, in connivance with an FCS&CA Rajouri official, illegally assumed control of the aforementioned depot. He forged the license by adding the statement "this license has been transferred in favor of Gourav Kumar" and manipulated the stamp and signature of the then AD FCS&CA, Rajouri. Through these dishonest and fraudulent actions, Gourav Ojha managed to misappropriate 114,240 liters of kerosene oil, which he used for his transportation business, along with his brothers Sorve Ojha and Sparsh Ojha. This illicit activity caused financial harm to the public exchequer.
Several complaints and RTI applications were filed against Gourav Kumar Ojha, exposing his wrongdoings. When the AD FCS&CA, Rajouri requested the original license for renewal, Gourav Kumar Ojha tampered with the document by erasing the section that stated the license had been transferred to him. Consequently, the AD FCS&CA, Rajouri suspended the license through an order dated August 7, 2018 (No. 426-30/AD/FCS&CA/R), highlighting the reasons for suspension and recommending the lodging of an FIR against Gourav Kumar Ojha. These facts have been acknowledged by the FCS&CA. |
