Officials Caught Red-Handed While Accepting ₹1 Lakh Bribe: ACB
Srinagar, May 21 (KNB): The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped and arrested two government officials of Irrigation Division Anantnag for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹1 lakh from a complainant in connection with disposal of a land-related complaint.
In a statement issued to news agency Kashmir News Bureau, an official spokesman said that ACB received a written complaint alleging that Ziladar Nazir Ahmad Wani, son of Mohd Akbar Wani of Utrasoo Najigund Anantnag, and Patwari Bilal Ahmad Wagay, son of Abdul Rehman Wagay of Sherpora Anantnag, were demanding a bribe for settling a complaint filed against the complainant regarding alleged encroachment of government land at Ashajipora near Dabruna in Anantnag.
The accused officials allegedly told the complainant that they would reject or settle the complaint at their own level if he paid them an amount equivalent to the cost of one marla of land at the location, estimated at around ₹4 lakh. However, after repeated requests, the bribe amount was allegedly settled at ₹1 lakh.
The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached ACB seeking legal action against the officials.
“During discreet verification, it was found that the land in question was not state land but proprietary land of the complainant. The allegations regarding demand of bribe were also verified,” the spokesman said.
Accordingly, FIR No. 05/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, read with Amendment Act-2018, was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up.
During the investigation, a trap team was constituted which successfully caught both accused officials red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹1 lakh. The accused were arrested on the spot and the bribe money was recovered from their possession in presence of independent witnesses.
The spokesman further said that searches were also conducted at the residential houses of both accused officials in presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.
Further investigation into the case is underway.(KNB)