In a shocking case of deception, Jammu and Kashmir’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against Afshan Shabir, a woman who allegedly concealed her British citizenship to secure a government job as an assistant professor.
The scandal unfolded at SKIMS Soura, where Afshan, a resident of Shibath Zadibal, was appointed in 2019. Investigations revealed she held UK citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, making her ineligible for public sector employment in the region. Despite this, she applied under advertisement notice 04/2015 as an in-service candidate, submitting forged documents claiming Indian citizenship and permanent residency in Jammu and Kashmir, complete with a state subject certificate.
EOW’s probe, triggered under FIR 76/2022, invoked sections 199 and 420 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). Officials seized her service book, personal files, application forms, and selection committee records. During interrogation, Afshan admitted to possessing a British passport and OCI card, confirming she hid her foreign nationality not just during application but throughout her tenure.
This fraud allowed her to unlawfully occupy a coveted public position, causing financial loss to the state exchequer. Her services were terminated by government order on August 20, 2022. With the chargesheet now submitted to the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Srinagar, the court will decide the next course of action in this high-profile impersonation case.
The episode underscores vulnerabilities in government hiring processes and the need for stricter verification of citizenship documents. Authorities are urging a thorough overhaul to prevent similar breaches.