Chief Engineer's bail plea rejected in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 23 (UNI) An anti-corruption court in Kashmir rejected the bail application of Roads and Building Department Chief Engineer Shamas-ud-Din Koka, who was arrested by the Vigilance Organisation on Tuesday in connection with the multi-crore purchase scam.

Special Judge anti-corruption Suresh Kumar Sharma, in his order said, ''the accused had allegedly conspired with Ghulam Nabi Ganai, Executive Engineer, Road and Building, Qazigund Division, and others to give supply order to his favourite A N Traders.'' Citing an example, the court said the officials allegedly placed supply orders for fluorinate concrete hardener weighing 60,450 kg at Rs 45 per kg though the original cost was Rs 2.64 per kg.

''Koka made huge funds to the tune of Rs 64 lakh available to the Roads and Buildings, Qazigund Division, while others were allotted between Rs two and three lakh only,'' the judge said.

Koka allegedly misused his official position and without following the normal procedure used to deliver allotment orders through Muzamil Kochak who is the son of his brother-in-law and business associate of his son Arshad Hussain, the court said.

The material was purchased without any genuine requirement and in a very huge quantity and without adhering to the formalities, the judge observed.

He said the accused, being the head of the department, could tamper with the valuable evidence if released on bail at this stage.

''The prosecution's apprehensions seem to be genuine. Corruption in the society has reached menacing proportion and public interest would be served best in case the bail is refused at this stage as investigations were still being conducted,'' the court said.

The defence counsel pleaded that Koka was innocent and falsely implicated in the case.

''He is a reputed person and a high official and would not in any way tamper with the prosecution evidence and abide by the conditions which may be imposed,'' Koka's counsel said.

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