Jammu, June 1, KNT: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Forest Department employee after allegedly catching him red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 in connection with release of security deposits linked to allotted works.
The arrest follows a complaint alleging corruption in processing official payments and marks another trap operation by ACB targeting public servants accused of seeking illegal gratification.
According to ACB, a written complaint was received alleging that the accused had demanded Rs 20,000 from a complainant for expediting release of security deposits related to allotted works.
The complainant alleged that following negotiations, the accused agreed to accept Rs 15,000.
Unwilling to pay the alleged bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action.
ACB said a discreet verification was conducted, which established prima facie evidence regarding the demand for illegal gratification by the accused public servant.
Subsequently, 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.
During investigation, ACB constituted a trap team and laid a successful operation.
The accused, identified as Vaseem Ahmad Hap, son of Manzoor Ahmad, resident of Hidyal Kishtwar and presently posted as Forest Guard while also handling accounts-related work in the office of Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division Marwah, was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant.
ACB said the accused was arrested on the spot and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings.
Following the arrest, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
Officials said further investigation into the case was underway.[KNT]
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