Shocking revelations from Srinagar expose deep-rooted fraud in COVID-19 medical supplies, prompting the Kashmir EOW to file charges against two cunning operators. The scam, uncovered via a whistleblower complaint, involved impersonation and digital trickery at the highest levels.
Posing as official delegates from Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative and supply wings, the Peer Bagh and Sanat Nagar residents engineered payments into bogus accounts. Fake emails cloned legitimate suppliers, seamlessly diverting funds meant for life-saving equipment.
The haul? A confirmed Rs 27 lakh embezzled from a government office, plus a thwarted Rs 2.24 crore heist from a key medical outfit. Prima facie proofs triggered IPC invocations for cheating, forgery, conspiracy, and IT Act penalties for cyber impersonation.
EOW’s proactive stance includes ongoing raids and financial forensics to dismantle the operation. This incident spotlights the dark underbelly of crisis management, where opportunists thrive amid urgency.
As the investigation progresses, it serves as a clarion call for robust verification in procurements. Jammu and Kashmir’s resolve to prosecute such offenders aims to deter future malfeasance, ensuring taxpayer money bolsters genuine health defenses.