Multi-millionaire PRO of ex-J&K deputy CM held

JAMMU: Vigilance sleuths arrested Kewal Krishan Sharma, the high-profile public relations officer of ex-deputy CM Tara Chand on Monday.

“Jammu vigilance organisation arrested accused Kewal Krishan Sharma, son of Gian Chand Sharma of Kachrial, in Khour tehsil of Akhnoor sub-division in Jammu district,” an official spokesperson said.

Sharma presently lives in Patta Paloura in Jammu and holds no government post. He has been arrested under Section 5 (1) (e), read with 5 (2), of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006.

During investigation, assets in the shape of commercial and luxury vehicles and immovable properties in the shape of residential houses in and outside the state, worth crores, have been unearthed so far, the spokesperson said.

Further, documents regarding qualification on the basis of which Kewal Sharma managed a government job forest guard have also been found to be fake, for which a separate first information report (FIR) is also under investigation.

During investigations it was found that the accused managed to open bank accounts with fake documents and deposited crores of rupees in this fake account and the money has been utilised for raising of assets held by the accused.

“Since, the accused is not cooperating and is not divulging facts as to how he has managed opening accounts witjh fake documents and the source of these documents, details of properties purchased outside the state, source of fake and fabricated documents used for getting government job.

To clarify these aspects, he has been taken into custody for questioning,” said the official.

On August 31 last year, the vigilance department had registered a second FIR against Sharma.