In a decisive move against corruption, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday terminated the services of 103 appointees in the Fire and Emergency Services Department, exposing a deep-rooted scam in the 2020 recruitment drive for Firemen and Fireman Drivers.
Government Order, issued by the Home Department, declared these appointments "illegal, void ab initio, and cancelled with immediate effect." The order stems from a December 2022 Enquiry Committee probe that uncovered rampant irregularities, including paper leaks, result manipulation, and record tampering—prompting a criminal FIR by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on January 2, 2025.
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ACB investigations revealed large-scale fraud: OMR sheets were tampered with, scanned images fabricated, merit lists rigged, and digital evidence altered. At least 106 candidates received inflated marks, securing jobs through "criminal conspiracy," as per the order. Three had prior terminations, leaving 103 sacked now.
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Citing Supreme Court and J&K High Court precedents, the government ruled Article 311 protections inapplicable to void appointments. "Such illegality erodes public trust and recruitment sanctity," the order stated, approved by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and signed by Principal Secretary, Home.
The terminated list spans Kashmir and Jammu divisions, including districts like Srinagar, Anantnag, Jammu, and Rajouri. Officials directed immediate disassociation, signaling zero tolerance amid ongoing ACB probes.