Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (JKACB) has arrested a Junior Assistant from the Social Welfare Department in Billawar, Kathua district, for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes from a complainant. The official, identified as Des Raj, was taken into custody after a sting operation confirmed the illegal gratification demands.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the accused public servant had initially demanded Rs 10,000 from the complainant. This sum was requested in exchange for releasing financial assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme for the marriage of the complainant’s daughter, scheduled for April 16, 2026. Following negotiations, the agreed-upon bribe amount was reduced to Rs 5,000. The complainant had already paid Rs 1,500 to the official and was subsequently facing further demands for Rs 3,000 to facilitate the release of Rs 50,000 in assistance.
Upholding the principles of probity in public service, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau, unwilling to succumb to the demands for illegal payment. Upon receiving the complaint, the JKACB initiated a discreet verification process. This preliminary inquiry successfully corroborated the allegations of bribe demands made by the accused public servant.
Consequently, the ACB registered a case, FIR No. 03/2026, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Jammu. A dedicated trap team was constituted to investigate the matter further. The team successfully laid a trap and apprehended the accused public servant red-handed as he was demanding and accepting the bribe money from the complainant. The arrest was made in the presence of independent witnesses, adhering strictly to due legal procedures.
The bribe money was also recovered from the possession of the arrested official during the operation, again in the presence of independent witnesses. Further, a search was conducted at the residence of the accused, located in Kishanpur, Billawar, in the presence of a magistrate. The investigation into this corruption case is ongoing, with the ACB continuing to gather evidence and statements to ensure thoroughness and justice.
The Chenab Times News Desk