SRINAGAR: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir has apprehended a Special Police Officer (SPO) from Police Station Larnoo in Anantnag district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the complainant had lodged a complaint with the ACB alleging that the SPO demanded a bribe for the release of his Load Carrier’s documents. The ACB initiated an investigation following the complaint.
The complainant stated that on March 26, he was traveling in his Load Carrier from Mati to Badihar when a police naka party at Badihar Bridge stopped him. After searching the vehicle and checking his documents, the police party did not return them and instead instructed him to report at Police Station Larnoo the following day.
On March 27, the complainant visited Police Station Larnoo and met SPO Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat. Bhat initially demanded Rs 30,000 for the release of the documents. Later, he reduced the demand to Rs 25,000 over the phone, and the matter was finally settled for Rs 18,000.
Dissatisfied with the demand, the complainant approached the Anti Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the police official.
Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand for a bribe by the government employee. Consequently, a case FIR No. 03/2026 was registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, read with the amendment Act-2018, at the PS ACB Anantnag, and an investigation commenced.
A trap team was constituted as part of the investigation. The team successfully laid a trap and apprehended Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat, identified as SPO No. 176/SPO of Police Station Larnoo, Anantnag, son of Khazir Mohammad Bhat from Batpora Larnoo, Kokernag, Anantnag. He was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount.
The accused SPO was arrested on the spot, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses. Following the arrest, a search of the accused police official’s residential house was conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses. The ACB stated that further investigation into the case is ongoing.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
