SHEIKHUPURA, July 16: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on Monday took into custody a district officer and deputy district officer (roads) on charges of involvement in misappropriation of funds.

Reports said Executive District Officer (works) Sajjad Siddique in his complaint alleged that DO (roads) A.R. Bhatti Masih and DDO Imam Buksh had misappropriated Rs1.5 million during the repair of Sharaqpur Road.

According to the complainant, the accused had awarded the project to their favourite contractors who received payments from the department but did not carry out the repair. The EDO also submitted the complaint to the president of Pakistan, the chief minister and other high-ups.

The Sheikhupura district coordination officer declared the accused guilty after an inquiry. Later, the case was referred to ACE while the officials got interim bail from anti-corruption judge Malik Mansoor Ahmed Kokab. On Monday, their bails were cancelled and the ACE officials sent them behind the bars.

Further investigation is under way.