VO registers corruption case against ex-JK minister's driver

Srinagar, Jan 18 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation (VO) today registered a corruption case against driver of former state State Education Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Peerzad Mohammad Sayeed.

The minister had resigned from the ministry after Mr Shoaib Nabi Lone, MLA, Sangrama in Baramulla, accused him of bribery.

A VO spokesman said a copy of written statement made by the MLA was received by the organisation.

The statement was also recorded by the Jammu police and the VO registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act to investigate the allegation of bribery levelled by Mr Lone.

In his statement given to the police on January 14, 2008, Mr Lone had alleged that he had paid the bribe to Altaf Noorani, the driver of Board of School Education who was attached to Mr Sayeed, for clearance of a file pertaining to permission for starting ETT classes.

This statement was received by the VO from the Police for action under law.

He said case FIR number 2/2008 P/S VOK U/S 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act read with 161 and 120 B RPC has been registered and investigation taken up.

Mr Lone said he had paid the bribe to the minister through his driver. However, Mr Sayeed, who was also Haj and Aufaq minister, denied the charges and said it was only to defame him.

He said he had resigned to allow inquiry into the case.

UNI BAS ASM MS MSJ RK1845