Jammu, Aug 1, KNT: In the much publicized case concerning alleged double drawl of Petroleum and Oil and misuse of government vehicles by then Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and his personal staff, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday directed the summoning of the trial court record from the Court of Special Judge Anti Corruption Jammu.
Justice Virender Singh passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by Prof S K Bhalla, represented by Advocate Sheikh Shakil Ahmed. The Court sought the record of file number 138/M in which the Special Judge Anti Corruption Jammu had earlier granted four months to the State Vigilance Organization to conclude its inquiry into the complaint. The Registry was also directed to list the matter in the week commencing August 19, 2013.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Organization Jammu, submitted a status report detailing progress of the inquiry. The report disclosed that between 2009 and 2012, nine vehicles from the State Motor Garages remained attached with the Deputy Chief Minister and his personal staff. Additionally, nine vehicles from the security wing were also reportedly allotted during the same period.
According to the report, substantial quantities of fuel were issued to specific vehicles from departments including Housing and Urban Development, Jammu Municipal Corporation, LAWDA, JDA, SDA, Local Bodies, UEED and the Electric Department. In one instance, a vehicle allotted to the Deputy Chief Minister was shown to have received thousands of litres of fuel over multiple years from different departments.
The report also referred to issuance of fuel to a Maruti car registered in a private individual’s name, allegedly on the written request of an officer on special duty to the Deputy Chief Minister.
The High Court is examining the findings placed on record and the matter will be taken up later this month. [KNT]
