Jammu, Jun 1 (JKNS): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu and Kashmir on Monday trapped and arrested a Forest Guard posted in Kishtwar district while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15,000 for facilitating the release of security deposits linked to allotted works.
Spokesperson in a statement issued here to news agency JKNS, A written complaint was received by ACB alleging that the accused demanded a bribe of ₹20,000 from the complainant for expediting the release of security deposits related to allotted works.
It reads that, After negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept ₹15,000 as illegal gratification.
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 of 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, it reads.
During investigation, a trap team was constituted by ACB. The team 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 ₹15,000 from the complainant, it reads.
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, it reads. (JKNS)
