Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNS) : A senior assistant posted at the Sub Division Agriculture Office in Handwara was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 for releasing a pending subsidy bill, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Irshad Ahmad Peer, was arrested following a trap laid by the ACB's Baramulla unit, they said.

Acting on a written complaint that a subsidy bill for a tractor — availed by the complainant's brother under the HADP scheme — was pending with Peer, who had demanded Rs 40,000 for its release, the ACB conducted a discreet verification in which the bribery allegations were found to be true, officials said.

A case (FIR No.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel06/2026) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) was registered at ACB Police Station Baramulla and investigation was set into motion.

"A trap-laying team was constituted, associated with independent witnesses as per the prevailing norms, and a successful trap was laid against the accused public servant, who was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe money of Rs 40,000, which was recovered from his conscious possession, confirmed and authenticated by other surrounding evidences," the ACB said in a statement.

The accused has been arrested and taken into custody, and further investigation is in progress, officials added. (KNS).