STATE
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Thu, Nov 12, 2026 04:52 PM
ACB Arrests Rural Development Department Assistant Engineer in Bandipora for Accepting Rs 8,000 Bribe
Srinagar, November 12: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has arrested an Assistant Engineer of the Rural Development Department (RDD), Block Arin, District Bandipora, identified as Mohd Rafi Moon, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹8,000 for clearing pending work bills.
According to an official statement, Police Station ACB Baramulla received a complaint alleging that the complainant had completed five government PRI works. However, the concerned Assistant Engineer, Mohd Rafi Moon, allegedly demanded ₹11,000 as a bribe for processing the bills. Following negotiations, the amount was reportedly reduced to ₹8,000. The complainant further alleged that despite refusing to pay the bribe, the officer deliberately withheld the pending bills.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which prima facie established the commission of a cognizable offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
Consequently, FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla on November 12, 2026, and an investigation was initiated.
Immediately after registration of the case, a trap team was constituted in accordance with prescribed procedures, with independent witnesses associated with the operation.
During the trap operation, the Assistant Engineer, along with another accused, identified as Hilal Ahmad Mir, son of Mohd Ramzan Mir, a resident of Gundpora, Rampora, District Bandipora, who is reportedly a contractor by profession, was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹8,000.
The bribe money was recovered from the conscious possession of the accused persons, with the recovery corroborated by independent witnesses and other supporting evidence.Both accused have been arrested and taken into custody. Further investigation into the case is underway. ANB
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