Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday registered a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case against Police Inspector Vijay Singh Choudhary, brother of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, following a verification conducted on the basis of specific inputs.
Reacting to the raids, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary termed the action 'unfortunate'.
According to an official statement the verification revealed that the accused officer, while posted at various places, allegedly amassed assets worth crores of rupees, which were found to be highly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
"It further surfaced that he had raised more than 10 properties, including houses, shops and land measuring around 100 kanals, valued in crores of rupees. Most of these assets were allegedly acquired in the names of his family members, relatives and other persons," the statement reads.
The ACB said that on the basis of the verification, a prima facie case of criminal misconduct was established against Vijay Singh Choudhary under Section 13(1)(b) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Consequently, FIR No. 02/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Central and investigation was taken up.
Searches at Multiple Locations
During the investigation, the ACB obtained search warrants from the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu. Thereafter, ACB teams conducted searches at multiple locations linked to the accused.
The searched premises include his residential house at Santokh Vihar, Kaluchak, Jammu; his ancestral house at Nonial, Nowshera in Rajouri district; and business establishments including a stone crusher and a tile factory at Tutte Di Khui, Bajalta, Jammu.
The statement added that additional locations in Jammu were also searched under Section 185 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) based on further inputs received during the course of investigation.
"During the searches, incriminating documents were recovered and seized. Further investigation in the case is ongoing," the ACB said.
Dy CM Calls Action "Unfortunate"
Reacting to the raids, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, termed the action "unfortunate" and strongly defended his brother's service record.
Talking to reporters in Jammu, he said the officer had served in sensitive areas such as Thanamandi and Doda and had actively fought against terrorism and crime. "They have done this to an officer who, during his service, had killed terrorists in areas like Thanamandi and Doda. He has always fought against terrorism and crime. Instead of giving him a promotion, they have sent the ACB to his house. This is unfortunate," he said.
The Deputy CM alleged that the timing of the raids was aimed at preventing his brother's elevation in rank. "Today, these people have come to my brother's house to stop his promotion so that he is not made DSP," he said.
Highlighting his family background, he said they belong to a soldier's family and that their father had served in the Army.
"His history and complete background are well known to everyone. Throughout his career, that officer has firmly fought against terrorism and criminals. Wherever he was posted, he built a strong reputation. The family standing before you is a soldier's family. Through hard work, we have reached this position," he added.
Meanwhile, the ACB in statement said the case was registered after due verification and that searches were conducted following proper judicial authorization. They added, further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged disproportionate asset. |
