Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a Forest Guard posted in Forest Division Marwah, Kishtwar, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a complainant for expediting the release of security deposits related to allotted works, officials said.
In a statement, a spokesperson said that a written complaint was received by the ACB alleging that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the complainant for expediting the release of security deposits related to allotted works. After negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 15,000 as illegal gratification.
He said that, unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the accused official.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, ACB conducted a discreet verification, which established the prima facie demand for bribe by the accused public servant. Consequently, FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Central, Jammu, and investigation was initiated,” the spokesperson said.
He said that during investigation, a trap team was constituted by the ACB, which laid a successful trap and caught the accused public servant, namely Vaseem Ahmad Hap S/o Manzoor Ahmad R/o Hidyal, Kishtwar, presently posted as Forest Guard and looking after accounts work in the office of Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division Marwah, red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant.
“The accused was immediately arrested on the spot, and the bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Subsequently, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused government employee in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses. Further investigation in the case is underway,” the spokesperson added.—(KNO)
