CB Files Chargesheet in 17-Year-Old RTO Jammu Revenue Fraud Case

JAMMU: The Crime Branch Jammu has filed a chargesheet in a 17-year-old alleged revenue fraud case involving the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Jammu, accusing several persons of manipulating one-time token tax records and using fake Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driving certificates, officials said on Wednesday. The chargesheet was presented before the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge (Anti-Corruption), Jammu, in connection with a case registered in 2009 under various provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. According to a Crime Branch spokesperson, the case was registered following credible information about large-scale irregularities in the functioning of the RTO, Jammu, which allegedly caused a financial loss of several lakhs of rupees to the government exchequer. The investigation revealed that one-time token tax collected from vehicle owners was allegedly under-recorded in official cash books, leading to the suspected misappropriation of more than Rs 12.97 lakh. Investigators also uncovered the alleged use of fake driving institute certificates, fabricated documents and forged attestations to obtain endorsements for Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driving licences. The Crime Branch said that evidence, including seized records, witness statements and forensic examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Jammu, indicated that fake PSV certificates were allegedly prepared as part of a conspiracy involving Kulbhushan Sharma, Managing Director of Shivam Institute of Driving and Maintenance, and Raj Kumar. During the investigation, several beneficiaries reportedly told investigators that they had never attended the mandatory training at the institute, despite certificates having been issued in their names. The probe further revealed that records of the driving institute were allegedly destroyed in an attempt to conceal the fraudulent activities, the spokesperson added. The filing of the chargesheet marks the completion of the Crime Branch's investigation into the long-pending case, with further legal proceedings now set to continue before the anti-corruption court.