NC Govt sleeps over recruitment scam

Even the internal inquiry conducted by IGP (Crime) P V Raju had also indicated prima facie involvement of the then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the district, Dilbagh Singh, and SSP Ashkoor Wani in the irregularities in the recruitment.

But official sources said the State government was yet to order a formal departmental proceedings and appoint an inquiry officer tocarry out an in-depth probe into the scam and establish the involvement of the two officials in the scam. Both Dilbagh and Ashkoor were suspended and are attached to the Crime headquarters at Jammu.

Sources said since a formal inquiry had not been ordered, the two accused officers are yet to be served the mandatory charge-sheets under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Rule (JKCSR).

“The charge-sheets are yet to be served and the officers are yet to get an opportunity to explain their position vis-a-vis the charges,” a senior police officer said.

Ironically, Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah recently told reporters at a press conference at Srinagar that the State government had written to the Union Home Ministry for the “dismissal” of the IPS officer for his involvement in the scam. He had further announced that Ashkoor Wani would be “dismissed” from the service soon.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the two officers had “cornered” Rs 60 lakh for appointing “unqualified”candidates.

Police officials are dismayed at the alacrity shown by Abdullah in pinning the two officials. “How can he issue statements in such a haste. A formal inquiry is yet to be ordered and unless the probe is completed, the magnitude of the scam and the role of the two officials cannot be ascertained,” an officer said.