Ex Dy CM’s PRO attempts suicide

Jammu, March 6

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The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand attempted suicide by consuming drugs at a police station where he was lodged in connection with a disproportionate assets case, the police said today.

Kewal Sharma, who was the PRO to Tara Chand during the National Conference-Congress regime, attempted suicide in police custody here yesterday but was immediately rushed to a hospital.

A police officer said they had registered an attempt to suicide case against Sharma.

The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) had arrested Sharma on February 20 on charges of amassing wealth disproportionate to his source of income and not cooperating in investigation.

During investigation, it was found that Sharma had opened bank accounts with the help of fake documents, deposited crores of rupees in them and utilised the money for amassing assets.

It was further alleged that he had opened different bank accounts in his name, his sons’ name and in the name of his close relatives in which transactions of more than Rs 4 crore had taken place in 2013 and 2014, the officer said.

The accused purchased luxury vehicles and commercial vehicles allegedly in a mostly benami (nameless) manner, the officer added. — PTI