Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended a Panchayat Secretary in Kulgam district while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹5,000. The arrest was made on Thursday in connection with the clearance of labour bills related to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the ACB received a formal complaint alleging that the Panchayat Secretary, identified as Sheikh Zada Irfan, son of Sheikh AB Rashid, and a resident of Muniwara in Anantnag district, was demanding a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant. The amount was reportedly sought for clearing bills pertaining to labour charges for MGNREGA projects undertaken by the complainant. Following negotiations, the demanded amount was reduced to ₹5,000.
The complainant, unwilling to succumb to the demand for illegal gratification, approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking intervention and legal action against the accused government employee. Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB initiated a discreet verification process, which corroborated the allegations of bribe demand against the Panchayat Secretary.
Subsequently, a case was registered under FIR No. 04/2026, invoking Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with its amended provisions from 2018, at the Police Station of ACB Anantnag. An investigation into the matter was officially commenced.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a dedicated trap team was constituted by the ACB. The team successfully laid a trap, leading to the apprehension of the government employee red-handed while he was demanding and accepting the bribe money. The sum of ₹5,000 was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses who were part of the trap team.
Following the arrest, a search of the accused government employee’s residential house was conducted. This search was carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses, adhering to established legal procedures. Further investigation into the case is reportedly ongoing, with authorities seeking to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption.
The Chenab Times News Desk