ACB Arrests FCI Godown Owner, Weigher in Budgam for ‘Accepting Bribe’

Srinagar, Aug 21 (GNS): Anti-corruption Bureau on Monday said to have arrested an FCI Godown Owner alongside a Weigher for ‘accepting bribe in lieu of unloading of a truck’.

“A complainant approached the Anti Corruption Bureau with a written complaint against the office bearers of FCI Godown Chandpora Budgam, alleging demand of bribes from the complainant for unloading his truck. The truck is associated with transportation of food-grain for FCI and had arrived at FCI Godown, Chandpora with a load of rice on 12-08-2023. Since then the truck had not been unloaded and the office bearers had finally told the complainant to approach Godown owner and Tajamul Hassan Shah, Weigher”, said a Bureau spokesperson in a statement issued to GNS.

The complainant, the statement, accordingly approached the Godown Owner, who told him to deposit an amount of ₹1500 into his bank account. Further, the Weigher told him to pay a bribe of ₹3500 before his truck could be unloaded. The complainant however, chose not to pay a bribe and approached ACB Srinagar for taking legal action against the accused as provided under law.

“On receipt of the complaint, a Case FIR No. 16/2023 U/S 7, 7A of PC Act 1988 was registered with PS ACB Srinagar and investigation taken up”, reads the statement.

“During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted by this Bureau. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused Weigher red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe amount of ₹3500 from the complainant. The money was recovered from the accused on the spot. Moreover, before receiving a receipt of transported food-grain, the driver was asked by the Godown Owner to deposit an amount of ₹1500 into his bank account.”

“The accused Godown Owner has been identified as Ab Majeed Sheikh S/o Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh R/o Firdousabad, Batamaloo Srinagar, Proprietor Sheikh Suppliers and Contractors while as weigher has been identified Tajamul Hassan Shah S/O Ghulam Hassan Shah R/O Dharmuna Budgam”, reads the statement.

“On the spot, there were several other drivers available, who transport food-grain for FCI. They were examined and it came to the surface that all the drivers were forced to pay bribes before their trucks were unloaded. The drivers on the spot complained that they are extorted money at all the Godowns of FCI especially Lethpora, and otherwise their trucks are not unloaded timely and are made to wait long. Almost all the drivers available on the spot have paid some amount to the Godown owner and weigher by one or the other way”.

“Some of the drivers showed mPay screen shots depicting transfer of ₹3000 each into the bank account of accused Abdul Majeed.”

“It is pertinent to note that the Godown owner Ab Majeed Sheikh, is accused in ₹30 crore fraud of J&K Bank. In connection with bank fraud ACB has charge-sheeted the accused in ACB case FIR No. 06/2019 of PS ACB Anantnag”, reads the statement.

“Further investigation into the case is going on. Role of the other involved persons associated with FCI Godown Chandpora is being investigated. More arrests are expected to follow in the instant case”, concludes the statement. (GNS)

TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS, J&K, JAMMU/SRINAGAR
1. From 19-08-2023, 1700 hrs. to 20-08-2023, 1700 hrs. there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 04 HMVs and single stretch at Mehar, Cafeteria and Dalwas between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.

2. *HMVs Operators/Owners are requested to desist from overloading. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double check the fitness of their vehicles before undertaking journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.*

3. HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.

TRAFFIC PLAN & ADVISORY FOR 21-08-2023:-
Subject to fair weather and better road conditions SANJY Convoy /LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.

*SHRI AMAR NATH JI YATRA 2023*
Yatris/Tourists may refer to *Revised Advisory No. 03 dated 03-07-2023*

*CUT OFF TIMINGS FOR LMVs/PASSENGER/PRIVATE CARs (other than Yatris/Tourists): -*
To be released from Nagrota (Jammu) from 0600 hrs. to 1200 hrs.
from Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1300 hrs &
from Qazigund 1130 hrs to 1400 hrs.
TCU Jammu and TCU Srinagar will inform all concerned about the traffic advisory and cut off timings. No vehicle shall be allowed to move before and after cut off timings.

*HMVs/Load Carriers:-*
Subject to fair weather and better road conditions, HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the road and traffic situation on NH-44 and *no HMV will be allowed after 1900 hrs.* TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs.
*Moreover, in view of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra 2023, to provide hassle free movement of trucks on NH-44, administration has decided all tankers of Pol, Diesel, LPG bulk gas, all empty LPG Cylinders carrying trucks; all empty vehicles of FCI; any other vehicle having upto 10-tyres shall adopt Mughal Road.*

*SFs Convoy Movement:-*
Security Forces are advised/requested not to ply against advisory/traffic plan in view of possible traffic congestion because of narrow carriage way between Nashree and Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar NHW and ongoing SANJY 2023. *Tomorrow they may ply from Srinagar towards Jammu after confirming the status of NHW from TCU Ramban. They shall leave Srinagar at 0800 hrs* .

*SSG ROAD*
Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice-versa. LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar at 0730 hrs. to 1100 hrs. Similarly, LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil at 1300 hrs to 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings.
*SFs Convoy, plying from Srinagar to Kargil, shall leave Srinagar at 0800 hrs. SFs Convoy plying from Drass to Srinagar shall plan their movement in such a manner so that Yatra convoys (both UP and DOWN) don’t get disturbed.*

*Mughal Road:-*
Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement on Mughal road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) at 0600 hrs. upto 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of timings

*ADVISORY:-*
People are advised to undertake journey on NH-44 only after confirming status of the road from Traffic control units as under:-
• Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191- 2740550, 9419147732, 103)
• Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103)
• Ramban (9419993745)
• Udhampur (8491928625)
• PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) for status of Sinthan Road.