Jammu, Apr 7 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested two officials of the Public Works Department (R&B) Mechanical Division in north Kashmir's Baramulla district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ?13,000, an official spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The accused have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, Senior Assistant, and Farooq Ahmad, Junior Assistant, both posted at the PWD (R&B) Mechanical Division, Baramulla.
The ACB received a telephonic complaint on April 6 through its helpline from a manager of a private firm registered on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. The complainant stated that his firm was declared the lowest bidder (L1) for a tender to supply a customized vehicle for live fish transportation to the Department of Fisheries, Bandipora.
Although the vehicle was delivered and the bill was processed and forwarded to the accounts section, the payment was deliberately withheld for several days.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe two officials were allegedly demanding ?13,000 as bribe for releasing the payment, the spokesperson said.
After discreet verification, the ACB registered a case (FIR No. 01/2026) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 at the ACB police station in Baramulla.
A trap was laid by an ACB team, and both accused were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the illegal gratification. They were taken into custody on the spot, the spokesperson added.
Further investigation is underway.
The ACB has urged citizens to report any demand for bribe by government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. Complaints can be lodged on the toll-free helpline 1800-180-7152, WhatsApp number 9419678060, through the 'Satark Nagrik' mobile app, or via email at director.vigilance@jk.gov.in. (KNS)