Srinagar , Jan 1: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Chadoora, Budgam, in connection with a case involving forged appointment orders in the Agriculture Department.
The chargesheet relates to FIR No. 43/2021 registered under Sections 420, 511, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. Two accused have been named: Showkat Ahmad Hajam of Wagoora, Chadoora in Budgam district, and Irshad Ahmad Ahanger of Ratnipora in Pulwama district.
The case originated after the Deputy Director of Agriculture reported an attempt by a woman to join the department using a fake appointment order. On November 30, 2019, the woman presented a photocopy of an official-looking communication at the Agriculture Department office. Verification revealed that the document was forged and had never been issued by the department. Further checks showed that the appointment orders cited in the communication were also fake.
During the investigation, it was found that Irshad Ahmad Ahanger had obtained the forged documents from co-accused Showkat Ahmad Hajam. The fake order listed three individuals as appointed orderlies in the Agriculture Department, Kashmir Division. Based on this document, a woman from Pathan area of Pulwama was misled into believing she had secured a government job and attempted to formally join the department in Srinagar.
Investigators established that the accused were involved in a criminal conspiracy to prepare and use forged appointment orders with the intention of cheating job aspirants. While no financial transaction or wrongful gain could be proven, the act amounted to an attempt to cheat, attracting provisions under Section 511 IPC.
After completing the investigation, the Economic Offences Wing submitted the chargesheet for judicial determination.
