Jammu, April 7: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday arrested two officials of the PWD (R&B) Mechanical Division, North Kashmir, Baramulla, red-handed for allegedly demanding and accepting illegal gratification from a complainant.
According to official sources, the ACB received a telephonic complaint on April 6 through its helpline, wherein the complainant, a manager of a private firm registered on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, alleged that his firm had successfully secured a tender for supplying a customised vehicle for live fish transportation. The vehicle had already been delivered to the Fisheries Department in Bandipora and the billing process was duly completed both online and through submission of hard copies.
Despite completion of all formalities, the payment was allegedly withheld deliberately by the concerned officials, who demanded a bribe of ₹13,000 for release of the dues.
Acting on the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification which prima facie established the allegations. Subsequently, a case FIR No. 01/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, an ACB team laid a successful trap and apprehended the accused officials—identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, Senior Assistant, and Farooq Ahmad, Junior Assistant—while demanding and accepting the bribe from the complainant. Both were taken into custody on the spot after completion of legal formalities.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
The ACB has reiterated that both giving and taking bribes constitute criminal offences. Citizens have been urged to report instances of corruption through the toll-free helpline 1800-180-7152, WhatsApp number 9419678060, the Satark Nagrik mobile application, or via email to the designated vigilance authorities.
