Avinash Azad
Jammu, July 6: An alleged corrupt officer is ruling the roost in Katra Municipality, as despite High Court directions to prosecute the executive officer in a corruption case in December 12, 2013, he continues to enjoy the post.
Sources informed Early Times that Executive Officer, Ravi Kumar had been accused of making illegal appointments of his kith and kin last year, in said municipality for which he along with some other officials have been booked by SVO.
After completion of investigation in two FIRs, the SVO had presented challan before Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu in December 2013, but so far the officer is still enjoying the post, due to reasons best known to authorities concerned.
It was also reported that Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi had recommended administrative action against the Executive Officer, Katra Municipality, against whom two FIRs had culminated into presentation of charge-sheets in the court of Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu.
The direction was passed by the DB in 2013, after going through a fresh CMA, in a PIL filed by an NGO regarding collection of taxes from the pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
"Following the HC directions, the state government sanctioned prosecution against Ravi Kumar, but backed by some influential businessmen and leaders including a sitting Minister, the blue eyed officer managed to escape any administrative action", said an official concerned.
Sources further said that due to some unknown reasons, the blue eyed official has been holding the post for the last more than 10 years.
"Facing corruption charges, overstaying on the post and despite prosecution given by government the officer has been escaping any action, which only shows the political patronage being enjoyed by the official", sources alleged.
Pertinent to mention here that MLA Reasi, B R Sharma had also raised the issue of malpractices undergoing in Municipal Committee Katra many a times, but despite that no action has been taken, which has raised many eyebrows.
Director Urban Local Bodies KL Khajuria didn't pick up his phone, despite repeated attempts by this correspondent.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Satish Nehru refused to comment over the issue and said, "I am not aware about it and can only comment after going through the matter." |
