Srinagar, Jan 17, :
The repatriation of three Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), including Waheed Ahmad Shah, from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to the Home Department has raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to curbing corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti criticized the move, accusing the government of punishing officials who expose corruption.
In a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), Mehbooba Mufti said, “The removal of Abdul Wahid and his colleagues from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) highlights the risks faced by officials who challenge corruption. It exposes the nexus between the corrupt and the most powerful. This action of punishing the whistleblower has revealed the government’s true intentions behind using various agencies including ACB to raid properties of Kashmiris under the guise of corruption investigations. This raises questions about the government’s commitment to justice and accountability.”
The repatriation comes amidst an ongoing investigation by the ACB into corruption allegations related to the Srinagar Smart City Limited project. The probe, led by the then SSP ACB Waheed Ahmad Shah, had recently unveiled significant irregularities. Executive Engineer Zahoor Dar and Chief Financial Officer Sajid Yousuf Bhat of Srinagar Smart City Limited have been booked on corruption charges, with allegations of shoddy work under the ambitious Smart City initiative and amassing wealth beyond their income.
During a recent press conference in Jammu, Waheed Ahmad Shah, according to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, illuminated the scale of the alleged corruption, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in public projects. However, the repatriation of Shah and his colleagues has raised suspicions about whether the government is genuinely committed to supporting anti-corruption efforts or attempting to stifle them.
Social media users have expressed mixed reactions. While some argue that the reassignment of officers is routine and administrative in nature, others see it as a strategic move to undermine the independence of the ACB.
“This decision sends a chilling message to honest officers who are striving to root out corruption,” said a senior advocate in Srinagar. “It also casts a shadow on the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption narrative.”
The ACB’s investigation into the Smart City project has been closely watched, as it involves high-profile individuals and substantial public funds. Observers fear that the sudden removal of key officers may slow down or derail the ongoing probes. [KNT]