ISLAMABAD: Separate cases have been registered over alleged embezzlement of Rs18 billion in the Jammu Kashmir Cooperative Housing Society.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafgaat told Dawn that so f ar nine cases were registered against as many people at Tarnol police station. The cases would be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) so that further legal action could be taken, with a request to put the names of all accused in the Exit Control List (ECL).

The DC of fice has been working on the issue for the past oneand-a-half years after receiving scores of complaints, he said, adding that the housing society management without purchasing lands, made bogus files of plots and sold it to people.

Over the issue, the DC office asked the management about one-and-a-half years ago to conduct an inquiry into the matter, Mr Shafgaat said, adding that the management identified people involved in embezzlement The DC office itself conducted an inquiry and forensic audit of the society. Later, the inquiry report was submitted to the interior ministry and the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior. In light of recommendations in the inquiry report, the DC issued orders to register cases against those involved in the embezzlement.