CB books ZEO Langate, others for embezzlement of school building funds

Srinagar, Sep 26: Crime Branch Kashmir on Wednesday claimed to have registered a case against Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Langate, a teacher and others for embezzling school building funds.
“A case under FIR number 43/2018 under section 420, 120-B RPC r/w 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act against ZEO Langate, Contractor and a teacher of Primary School Hampora Kralgund Kupwara for embezzling school building funds,” officials of Crime Branch Kashmir siad in a statement issued
“Crime Branch received a complaint from inhabitants of village Hampora Tehsil Kralgund Langate Kupwara. The complaint inter-alia reveals that a School building was sanctioned and approved for construction at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.40 lacs, under SSA scheme for Village Hampora Kralgund, and the work was allotted to one Bashir Ahmed Malik S/O Abdul Khaliq Malik R/O Hampora,” the statement said.
The officials said that out of estimated cost of construction an amount of Rs. 3.71 lacs was released, but the school building does not exist anywhere in Hampora village, thereby embezzled and grabbed the Govt money.
“It was found that Govt. has approved/sanctioned construction of a school building kitchen, and Toilet etc for the school under SSA scheme at an estimated cost of 6.32 lacs in village Hampora Kralgund, but on ground only school building exists, whereas kitchen block, toilet and ramp have not been constructed, However, the funds allotted for the purpose have been released. It was also found that an amount of Rs. 573592.0 was released by ZEO Langate through various cheques, mostly through Ist teacher P/S Hampora,” the officials said.
The statement added that also an amount of Rs.63592 have been shown to have been released in favour of DFO Langate for supply of timber. But, said fact was negated by DFO Langate. “The ZEO Langate, thus in connivance with contractor and the Teacher of Primary School Langate has resorted to misuse of his official Position in a dishonest manner, thereby caused wrongful loss to the state exchequer against a corresponding wrongful gain to themselves,” the statement added.
Accordingly the instant case is registered and investigation taken up, they said.