Jammu and Kashmir’s Anti-Corruption Bureau has asked former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to clarify if she had endorsed some controversial appointments made to the J&K Bank.

In a letter addressed to Mufti, chief of Peoples Democratic Party whose party was in power from 2015 until its collapse last year, the Anti-Corruption Bureau said: “During the course of Investigation of case FIR No. 10/2019 P/S ACBK dated 08/06/2019, it has surfaced that some appointments were made by Chairman J&K Bank on references of recommendation of few Ministers. It may please be clarified whether such references had your endorsement, verbal or otherwise for appointments In J&K Bank”.

Mufti, who uploaded the letter on Twitter, said in an accompanying tweet that it was a “concerted effort” to “browbeat mainstream leaders”.

“Not surprised to receive a letter from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Concerted efforts are being made to browbeat mainstream leaders & thwart potential efforts for a collective response. I am too small an entity vis a vis the cause that unites us today. Such tactics won’t work.”

The ACB is investigating allegations that some 3,000 illegal appointments had been made to the bank since 2014. Investigations began after a complaint by a person called Syed Kousar from Baramulla district’s Dandoosa Rafiabad on June 8 claimed that several banking attendants (BA) and assistant banking associates (ABA) were appointed through the backdoor.

The complainant said that 150 people had been illegally appointed to the positions of banking attendants and assistant banking associates since October 2017.

Muftoi took over as chief minister in April 2016, months after her father, former chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, died.  Her government fell in November 2018, after the Bharatiya Janata Party pulled out their support.