SIALKOT: An inquiry conducted by senior officials of the district government has proved charges of corruption and misuse of official powers against the deputy director (colleges) as a returning officer during the local body polls held in Sialkot on Dec 5, 2015.

The inquiry has declared deputy director (colleges) Liaquat Suhail Mir guilty, recommending the Higher Education Commission (HEC) secretary and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take stern departmental and legal action against him.

Sialkot DCO Dr Asif Tufail said the ECP had deputed Liaquat Mir as RO in the LB polls.

He said that accused Liaquat Mir took Rs0.5 million from Muhammad Ehsan Mayo (a candidate for the slot of Salhokey union council`s chairman) and Rs150,000 from Allah Ditta (an independent candidate for the slot of Jhaaranwala UC`s chairman) to help them win LB polls. But both candidates lost the elections.

The accused was said to be reluctant to return the amount he had taken as bribe from both candidates who submitted separate applications to DCO Dr Asif Tufail for holding an inquiry against the RO.

The DCO said the inquiry was conducted against the RO which proved him guilty of charges.

He said EDO (Finance) Shuja Qutab was conducting another inquiry against Liaquat Mir for taking `special gifts` from lecturers, assistant professors and professors of different colleges in Sialkot.