Kupwara Bridge Case: ACB Chargesheets 10 After 15 Years

Nine public servants and one private contractor — in connection with alleged misappropriation of government store material, fraudulent release of security deposits, and financial irregularities in the construction of a steel bridge at Lastiyal-Kalaroose in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

The Case

. The bridge carried a stipulated completion period of three months. Instead, the contractor began work after considerable delay, executed only a portion of the scope, and subsequently abandoned the project entirely.

and was never recovered after the abandonment.

, while bill deposits of Rs 81,400 were released despite outstanding government liabilities.

.

The Accused

The chargesheet names the full chain of accountability. Among those charged are:

, both retired Executive Engineers

, retired Assistant Executive Engineers

, Junior Engineer

, Assistant Accounts Officers

, Cashier

, Helper/Assistant Cashier

, Contractor

Industry Implications

, not just contractor default or isolated engineering negligence.

.

The message is unambiguous: legacy cases are being reopened, the full chain of signatories is in scope, and even small-value fraud can result in criminal charges.

, site inspection discipline, and contract enforcement clauses that should have triggered performance security forfeiture long before the ACB got involved.