SAC asks govt to file ATRs on alleged audio clip of ex-MD JKPCC

JAMMU: Taking cognizance of the alleged leaked telephonic conversation between Former Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation and one of his subordinates which had resulted in attachment of former, the State Accountability Commission on Thursday has asked the state government to file the Action Taken Report on the representation made around three weeks ago in this regard by a local activist.

The full bench of Commission headed by Chairperson Chief Justice (Retd) B.A. Khan and Members Justice (Retd) J.P. Singh and Justice (Retd) B.A. Kirmani on Thursday issued notices to the Commissioner/Secretary General Administration Department, J&K and Commissioner/Secretary Public Works Department (R&B), J&K asking them to inform on the next date of hearing as to what action has been taken on letter written by Sukesh C. Khajuria on November 21, seeking time bound enquiry by a sitting High Court Judge into the matter, besides directing for the Action Taken Report to be filed by the Secretaries GAD and PWD on or before February, 8, 2018.

Pertinently, on November 9, an audio clip, believed to be of former MD JKPCC Daleep Thusu who could be heard saying that he would get a graft case hushed up by bribing someone at the top, went viral. He allegedly told his subordinate engineers to pool Rs 10 lakh, which, he said, had to be paid to somebody at the top who would ensure that a case pending with the state anti-corruption organization would be hushed up. A day after, the state government had attached Thusu in the office of Development Commissioner, Works.

The complainant had then made a representation on November 21 to the Chief Minister and the Works Minister J&K with copies to Governor and Chairman SAC, seeking judicial probe by a sitting High Court Judge within seven days into the leaked conversation. On Thursday, when nothing substantial came out from the two constitutional functionaries of the State even after three weeks, the complainant filed the instant complaint before the Commission.

The complainant was represented by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed along with Advocates Supriya Chouhan and Mohammad Saalik.