Srinagar, Jan 20 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said on Tuesday that it has arrested four officials for demanding and accepting a bribe.

A statement by the ACB said, “Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption bureau today arrested four officials for demanding and accepting bribe.”

“One case was registered at Udhampur ACB police station whereas two cases were registered at Rajouri ACB police station. The J&K ACB received a complaint that Anil Jamwal, Junior Assistant posted in the office of Superintending Engineer, Udhampur Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department; and Jeet Kumar, Computer operator posted in the office of Executive Engineer, Udhampur Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department; demanded the bribe from the complainant for issuance of contractor card.”

“Since, the complainant did not want to pay bribe, he approached the Jammu and Kashmir ACB for taking legal action against the accused public servant under the law,” the statement added.

“On receipt of the compliant, a discreet verification was conducted, which corroborated the demand of bribe by the public servant concerned and accordingly, an FIR was filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered at the Udhampur ACB police station and investigation was taken-up.”

“During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by Deputy Superintendent rank officer was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and accused public servants were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe amount Rs 12,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.”

“The bribe money was also recovered from the possession of the accused in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Moreover, searches were also conducted at Ram Nagar and Laddan Power House Udhampur respectively, in presence of Magistrate.”

“In another case, the ACB received a complaint alleging therein that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police, Zamurat Manhas, called the complainant at Mendhar police station, on the complaint of one Abdul Qayoom for not returning his money.”

“The complainant requested for some time to return the money and Abdul Qayoom agreed. Thereafter, ASI Zamurat Manhas started demanding a bribe from complainant to settle the matter with Abdul Qayoom.”

“He (ASI Zamurat Manhas) also threatened him (complainant) that if he does not pay the bribe, he will book him under the PSA. Since the complainant is a poor person and did not want to give illegal gratification to the above named accused, he approached and lodged a written complaint in Rajouri ACB police station for taking legal action against him,” the statement added.

“Accordingly, an FIR was registered at Rajouri ACB police station and the investigation taken up. During the course of investigation, a team was constituted. The team caught ASI Zamurat Manhas red handed while demanding and accepting Rs 5,000 as bribe from the complainant.”

“The accused was arrested on the spot and subsequently searches were also conducted at the residential premises of accused at Mendhar, Surankote and Jammu,” the statement said.

“In yet another case the ACB on the basis of a written complaint alleging therein that complainant approached Patwari Mohd. Razaq posted in Patwar Halqa Sokar/Prori, Koteranka, for recording the name of his three daughters in the revenue record. However, the concerned Patwari demanded bribe from complainant for recording the name of his daughters in Khasra Girdwari.”

“Since the complainant is a poor person and did not want to give illegal gratification to the above named Patwari, he approached and lodged a written complaint in Rajouri ACB Police Station for taking legal action against him.”

“Accordingly an FIR was registered at the Rajouri ACB police station and the investigation taken up. After registration of the case, a team of Rajouri ACB police station caught Patwari Mohd. Razaq red handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 as bribe from the complainant.”

“The accused was arrested on spot and subsequently, searches were conducted at the residential premises of accused. Further investigation in all the three cases is going on,” the statement added.

–IANS

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