Soura Resident Convicted in 2004 Tender Fraud Case, Sentenced to Jail for Forgery and Cheating

Soura Resident Convicted in 2004 Tender Fraud Case, Sentenced to Jail for Forgery and Cheating
Fake ISO Certificate Submitted to Bag Govt Contract, Crime Branch Probe Unmasks Forgery
All Sentences to Run Concurrently, Additional Jail in Case of Fine Default

Srinagar, June 23, KNT: Nearly two decades after a fraudulent attempt to secure a government contract through deceit, the Court of City Judge (Judicial Magistrate 1st Class), Srinagar, has convicted a Soura resident for forgery, cheating, and criminal intent.

The court found Saqib Faheem Kachroo, son of Mohammad Ashraf Kachroo, a resident of Bohlochipora Soura, guilty in FIR No. 48/2004 registered by Crime Branch Kashmir under sections 511, 420, 468, 471, and 201 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The case stems from a complaint filed by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, which had in November 2003 invited tenders for the supply of science materials for chemistry from ISO/ISI-certified manufacturers and dealers.

During the tender scrutiny process, a local SSI unit, M/s Marinex Chemie, based near Gole Masjid in Soura, submitted an ISO-9000 certificate allegedly issued from Rotherdam, the Netherlands. However, upon verification, the document was found to be fake—an intentional act to mislead authorities and fraudulently win the government tender.

A preliminary enquiry launched by the Crime Branch confirmed the forgery, revealing that Saqib Faheem Kachroo had knowingly submitted the fake certificate in a deliberate attempt to cheat the department. Following this, FIR No. 48/2004 was registered, and after detailed investigation, a charge-sheet was presented before the court on July 22, 2008.

In its final judgment, the Hon’ble Court sentenced the accused to two years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 each under Sections 420, 468, and 471 RPC, and one year of simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 511 RPC. The court further ruled that all sentences shall run concurrently, and in the event of default in paying the fines, the convict shall face an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

The verdict is being viewed as a strong message against white-collar crime and forgery in official procurement processes. Legal observers say the case highlights the importance of due diligence and accountability in tendering mechanisms, especially in public sector institutions.