SRINAGAR: After initiating inquiry against Deputy Chief Minster Tara Chnad for his alleged role in backdoor appointments in Housing and Urban Development Department, State Accountability Commission (SAC) has begun a preliminary inquiry for graft charges against some other ministers and legislators.
Sources in the anti-graft commission said on Wednesday that apart from Tara Chand, the commission has initiated preliminary investigations regarding graft charges and misuse of official positions against several sitting ministers and legislators.
Preliminary investigation is on, and if the judges found something objectionable, SAC may issue notices to these ministers and MlAs, sources said on Wednesday. They added that SAC has geared up and was looking to expand its scanner on other senior officers and politicians.
Though the SAC authorities eluded confirmation, the sources maintained that the anti-graft commission had already taken many cases for preliminary investigations that involve ministers and legislators.
This is a very confidential matter. We dont disclose it before the preliminary investigations are over. We may or may not issue notices, SAC Chairman Justice (Rtd.) Nargotra said on Wednesday.
He added that no stay has been vacated as yet on the investigation proceedings of the sitting and former ministers facing graft charges in SAC.
Pertinently SAC has already issued notices to at least four sitting and seven former ministers and 98 officers including some IAS officers
The ministers against whom cases are pending are Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed (Floriculture), Taj Mohi-ud-din (Sports, Health & Education), Abdul Majid Wani (R&B) and Manohar Lal Sharma (Fisheries and Cooperatives).
Of the former ministers three are from Congress -including former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, two from Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and one each from National Conference and PDP.
Deputy Chief Minster Tara Chand is the latest entry into the list. However barring Tara Chand all other Ministers who have been served upon the notices have got stay on investigation from State High Court.
He has been given six weeks to file the reply either by himself or through his counsel. Secretary of the State Accountability Commission Dinesh Meni told KNS on Wednesday regarding notice issued to Tara Chand. He added that the case has been listed for hearing on 8th July.
Tara Chand faces the allegations of appointing number of persons through backdoor in the Housing and Urban department during his tenure as HuD minster.( KNS)
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