Jammu and Kashmir – Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has spoken out against the government for taking away important officials from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). She believes this move is meant to protect corrupt people and silence those who report corruption.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mufti said, “The removal of Abdul Wahid and his colleagues from the ACB shows the dangers faced by officials who fight against corruption. It reveals the connection between corrupt people and those in power. This action against whistleblowers shows the government’s real intentions behind using agencies like the ACB to raid the homes of Kashmiris under the pretense of investigating corruption. It raises doubts about the government’s commitment to justice and accountability.”
The removal of Abdul Wahid & his colleagues from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) highlights the risks faced by officials who challenge corruption. It exposes nexus between the corrupt &most powerful. This action of punishing the whistleblower has revealed the government’s true… pic.twitter.com/Ua3OHQMvpS
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 17, 2025
This criticism comes as the ACB is looking into corruption claims related to the Srinagar Smart City Limited project. The investigation, led by SSP Waheed Ahmad Shah, who has now been transferred, has found serious problems. The Executive Engineer and Chief Financial Officer of Srinagar Smart City Limited are among those being investigated.
A government order issued on Thursday stated that three officers—Abdul Wahid Shah, Mohammad Rashid, and Rakesh Kumar—have been moved from the ACB back to the Home Department. In their place, Deep Singh Jamwal, Manzoor Ahmad Mir, and Mamta Sharma have been assigned to the ACB.
The timing of these changes, especially during an important corruption investigation, has raised concerns. Many people are questioning the government’s motives and whether it is truly committed to fighting corruption in the region. As events unfold, many are watching to see how these changes will affect the investigation and the fight against corruption.
