Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 12 March 2023
Dr. N P Abdul Aziz, Assistant Conservator of Forests, has been accused of embezzling Labour Welfare Fund while he was posted at the Nicobar Division Headquarters of the Forest Department at Campbell Bay.
Dr. Aziz reportedly used the Mobile Banking of Canara Bank to embezzle the Govt. Funds. On 29th November 2022, DFO Campbell Bay lodged an official complaint with Dy.SP, Campbell Bay, requesting to lodge an FIR and take legal action.
Although more than three months have passed since the complaint was lodged, no FIR has been registered against Dr. N P Abdul Aziz yet.
Sources have informed us that enough proof is available to prosecute the ACF accused of embezzling Govt. Funds, but for unknown reasons, police has not lodged the FIR yet.
The question is whether someone at the top is trying to save the ACF or if the delay is merely due to the formalities associated with registering such cases.
A delay of more than three months in registering the FIR does not set a good example before society.
Department of Environment of Forests had also deputed Dr. N P Abdul Aziz on duty-cum-tour to Campbell Bay one month after the complaint against him was lodged by the DFO. While on duty-cum-tour to Campbell Bay, Dr. N P Abdul Aziz was reportedly trying to assert pressure on the staff at the Nicobar Division Forest Headquarters at Campbell Bay to provide him access to some documents related to his case.
Dr. Aziz, while on duty-cum-tour also reportedly filed an RTI Application seeking some documents related to the alleged embezzlement of funds by him.
Sending an officer to the place where he is accused of having embezzled Govt. Funds is surprising. The officer could have tampered with undiscovered evidence or tried to influence a potential witness.
Sources in the Police Department have informed us that the FIR against the ACF will be registered soon, but the question is, ‘How soon?’
Place a demand with LG for immediate preliminary inquiry by an officer or qualified person outside of Dept of E & F. If findings point towards a case for detailed departmental inquiry (prima facie case) , LG will automatically order a DE.