According to police, the Crime Branch Srinagar has filed charges against a teacher and two tax officers for fabricating a backward caste certificate.

The Special Crime Wing (Crime Branch) of Srinagar “produced charge sheet of case FIR No. 25/2012 before the Hon’ble Court of Anti-Corruption Court Anantnag on October 5, 2023 against three accused persons for their participation in commission of offences punishable under sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of the RPC, and 5(2) of the PC Act,” according to a spokesperson.

According to him, the case was opened by the Crime Branch Kashmir in response to a complaint from the former zonal education officer for Kulgam, in which it was claimed that Rashid-Ul-Hassan Gojjar, son of Gh. Hassan, of Arigatnoo Tehsil, had been hired as a teacher by the Service Selection Board in accordance with order No. 2034 of 2007, dated October 17, 2007, under the reserved category for ST individuals.

The aforementioned teacher submitted his joining report on July 11, 2007, at the office of the ZEO in Kulgam, and produced the necessary certifications and documentation, including ST, PRC, and DOB certifications, according to reports. After examining the credentials, it was discovered that the caste of the appointee was “Wagay” on his DOB certificate, which was in conflict with the caste of Gojjar on his PRC and ST certificates.

The investigation discovered that the appointee actually belongs to the “Wagay” caste, but that he successfully changed his caste to “Gojjar” by working with revenue authorities. A formal case was then filed with P/S Crime Branch Kashmir under FIR No. 25/2012 U/S 420,120-B r/w 5(2) PC Act, and an inquiry was launched, the official said.

In violation of Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 201,120-B of the Revised Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Penal Code, the accused officials misused their positions of authority by preparing and acting on a false and fraudulent mutation in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy in order to issue a fake Schedule Tribe Certificate in favour of the accused beneficiary. This beneficiary then used the certificate to obtain employment as a teacher in the District of Kulgam under the ST category.Finally, based on the evidence, the case was adjudicated proven under Sections 420,467,468,471,120-B RPC and 5(2) of the PC Act against the named Accused Persons.