Another closure report of ACB has been sent back for proper investigation by Anti-Corruption Judge Doda. In a high-profile case of alleged corruption in the transfer industry, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case against the then-in-charge Chief Education Officer (CEO), Kishtwar. The Additional Sessions Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court in Doda reviewed the closure report and returned it to the Director of the ACB, instructing further investigation. The FIR, in this case, was filed based on a complaint by the Director of School Education, not by any private person or a usual trap case by ACB. He approached ACB, indicating concerns regarding the alleged corruption and irregularities. Before the FIR, an internal departmental inquiry was conducted by a Joint Director, who found discrepancies in the matter. However, during the investigation, it seems that the inquiry report from the Education Department was disregarded or not given due consideration by the Investigating Officer (IO). The Judge, upon reviewing the closure report, correctly observed that the IO had failed to determine the reasons behind the numerous mid-session transfers that violated established norms.
These circumstances raise questions about the thoroughness and adequacy of the investigation conducted by the IO. It is indeed concerning that multiple officers involved in the decision-making process, including the IO, his superiors, the range SSP, the prosecution officer, and the Director of the ACB, may have missed crucial details and failed to thoroughly address the corruption charges. It suggests that important pieces of evidence were overlooked or not properly analysed. As a result, the Judge has rightly rejected the closure report for its failure to address the underlying reasons for the questionable transfers.
Given the seriousness of the corruption allegations and the importance of combating corruption, a comprehensive and unbiased investigation must be conducted. Returning the matter to the ACB for reinvestigation is a step in the right direction to ensure that the truth is uncovered and justice is served.
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