Srinagar, August 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 10 people, including seven officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and three private individuals, in a case involving alleged unauthorised construction in Batamaloo.

The chargesheet in FIR No. 06/2023, registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar, was presented before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, for judicial determination.

According to the ACB, the case relates to alleged illegal construction in Ward No. 28 near Tiny Hearts School at Tengpora, Batamaloo. Investigators have alleged that certain SMC officials misused their positions and entered into a criminal conspiracy with a private beneficiary, identified as Reyaz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Rahim Dar of Tengpora Batamaloo, to facilitate the construction.

The accused have been charged under provisions of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Samvat 2006, the Ranbir Penal Code, the RD Act and the Evacuees (Administration of Property) Act, 1949.

The anti-corruption agency said its investigation relied on both oral and documentary evidence and claimed that the allegations against the accused public servants and private beneficiaries were substantiated during the probe.

The case includes allegations of abuse of official position and extending undue benefits to private parties in connection with the construction.

The ACB said the required government sanction for prosecuting the public servants was obtained before the chargesheet was submitted to the court.

The matter will now be examined by the court, which will determine the charges and consider the evidence in accordance with law.