Chargesheet filed before Anti-Corruption Court
The Crime Branch’s Economic Offences Wing in Jammu has filed a chargesheet before the Additional Sessions Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Jammu, in a case concerning the alleged fraudulent procurement of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs). The case relates to claims that official records were manipulated to obtain certificates for a family after it shifted to Jammu from Punjab.
The case was registered under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The provisions relate to allegations including cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, criminal conspiracy and corruption-related offences. The filing places the allegations before the court for judicial consideration; the chargesheet itself does not amount to a conviction.
Alleged fabrication of records
According to the investigation, the matter began with a complaint alleging that Lakhan Singh, described as a West Pakistan refugee from Sialkot, procured PRCs for himself and members of his family after moving from Punjab to Jammu. The Crime Branch alleged that census records and lineage details were fabricated for the purpose of obtaining the certificates.
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of DSP Faisal Arif Rishu. The agency alleged that the process involved connivance with revenue officials. The case therefore extends beyond the alleged conduct of the applicants and examines the role of public officials and the records used in issuing the certificates.
Alleged use of certificates
The investigation further alleged that the certificates were subsequently used by Lakhan Singh’s sons, Prem Singh and Prabhakar Singh, for different purposes. Prem Singh was accused of using the certificate to obtain government employment in the Estates Department. Prabhakar Singh was alleged to have used it while contesting elections and later serving two terms as a Sarpanch.
The allegations outlined in the case indicate the possible consequences of disputed residency documentation when such records are relied upon for employment or participation in local democratic institutions. However, the claims remain subject to examination by the court, and the accused will have the opportunity to respond through the judicial process.
| Person | Status or alleged role |
|---|---|
| Lakhan Singh | Main accused; retired Power Development Department employee |
| Sat Paul Gupta | Then Tehsildar, Jammu |
| Prem Singh | Retired Estates Department employee; alleged beneficiary of PRC |
| Prabhakar Singh | Former Sarpanch; alleged user of PRC in elections |
Proceedings against accused
The two principal accused, Lakhan Singh, a retired employee of the Power Development Department, and Sat Paul Gupta, who was serving as Tehsildar, Jammu, at the relevant time, have died. The investigation nevertheless recorded the alleged criminal involvement of the surviving accused, Prem Singh and Prabhakar Singh. The Crime Branch has filed the chargesheet naming all four accused before the court for judicial proceedings.
The case highlights the importance of accurate verification in the preparation and issuance of public certificates, particularly when those documents are later relied upon for government service or elections. The Jammu Crime Branch has advised members of the public to remain alert to economic offences and report such matters to the Economic Offences Wing, Jammu. Further action in the case will follow the proceedings before the Anti-Corruption Court.
- Chargesheet filed in Jammu in an alleged PRC procurement fraud case.
- Investigation alleges fabricated census and lineage records and official connivance.
- Two surviving accused face judicial proceedings over alleged use of the certificates.
