Illegal appointment of PRO in JKAACL
*Ex-MLC evades arrest
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: In a significant order, Special Judge (Anti-Corruption), Jammu Y P Bourney has directed the Crime Branch to finalize the investigation with regard to the illegal appointment of Shakeel Ur Rehman, son of Syed Bashir Ahmed of Tangmarg as Publicity-cum-Public Relation Officer (PRO) in J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL).
While disposing off an application filed by whistleblower/complainant Dr Javed Rahi seeking expeditious conclusion of the investigation, the Special Judge(Anti-Corruption), after hearing Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah appearing for the complainant via virtual mode whereas APP Hemanshu Parkash appearing for ACB/CBJ in person, observed, “it is evident from the report filed by Crime Branch that the investigation already stands concluded but for the representation of one of the accused namely Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, the then Secretary JKAACL, further investigation has been ordered and Investigating Officer has only to see now whether accused has any justifiable explanation to the allegations which are duly established against him during the course of investigation and beyond that no further investigation is permissible”.
Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah vehemently argued that the Crime Branch has fully established the case against former Secretary JKAACL Zaffar Iqbal Manhas and the beneficiary of the illegal appointment Shakeel Ur Rehman. He further submitted that Crime Branch has been soft towards former Secretary who also served as MLC PDP before he joined J&K Apni Party.
The Crime Branch arrested Shakeel Ur Rehman on 19th February 2020 and subsequently he was bailed out on March 28, 2020 by High Court. However the Crime Branch unsuccessfully conducted raids at the Jammu residence of Zaffar Iqbal Manhas when he actively participating in political activities.
He further drew the attention of the court to the status report filed by Crime Branch Jammu wherein it was categorically mentioned that arrest of other accused Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, the then Secretary JKAACL, is still awaited although a series of notices have been issued to him and raids at his residence at Jammu.
After considering the submissions of both the sides, the Special Judge (Anti-Corruption) disposed off the application filed by complainant Dr Javed Rahi by directing the Crime Branch, Jammu to finalize the investigation within a period of one month.
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