SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in North Kashmir has apprehended two Public Works Department (PWD) officials from the Mechanical Division in Baramulla for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 13,000.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the arrested officials, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, a Senior Assistant, and Farooq Ahmad, a Junior Assistant, are accused of withholding payment due to a private firm. The firm had supplied a customised vehicle for live fish transportation to the Department of Fisheries in Bandipora, a service procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
The complaint was lodged with the ACB helpline on April 6 by the manager of the private firm. The firm had reportedly completed all contractual obligations, including the submission of bills both online and in hard copy. However, the payment was allegedly deliberately delayed by the PWD officials as a means to extort a bribe from the firm.
Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a verification of the allegations. The preliminary inquiry found sufficient grounds to proceed, leading to the registration of First Information Report (FIR) number 01/2026. The FIR was filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, and Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
A sting operation was subsequently carried out by the ACB, resulting in the on-the-spot apprehension of the two accused officials after they accepted the illicit payment. The Bureau has stated that legal formalities were completed following their arrest.
The ACB has emphasized that the investigation into the matter is ongoing. The agency reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and warned that demanding or accepting bribes is a criminal offense punishable by law.
In its statement, the Bureau urged citizens to report any instances of corruption within Jammu and Kashmir. Several channels have been provided for reporting, including the ACB toll-free helpline at 1800-180-7152, a WhatsApp number at 9419678060, the Satark Nagrik Mobile Application, and email at director.vigilance@jk.gov.in.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
