Srinagar, June 24, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a government official posted in the Geology and Mining Department, Ganderbal, after he was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe from a local JCB operator seeking guidance on soil extraction permissions.
According to ACB sources, the complainant approached the in-charge officer, Ghulam Mustafa (D.H), for assistance in obtaining legal permission to lift soil from a specific piece of land. However, instead of providing lawful guidance, the official allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 in exchange for unofficially allowing the soil extraction for three days — insisting on an upfront payment of Rs 10,000.
Suspecting foul play, the complainant submitted a written complaint to the ACB. Acting promptly, the Bureau carried out a discreet verification through a designated officer. The verification substantiated the complaint, confirming that the accused official had indeed demanded illegal gratification.
Following the verification, the ACB registered FIR No. 10/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended), at Police Station ACB Srinagar. A trap team was immediately constituted to catch the accused in the act.
In a well-coordinated operation, the trap team successfully apprehended the public servant red-handed while he was accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant as part of the bribe. The officer was taken into custody on the spot.
ACB officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused was involved in similar illegal activities and whether others within the department might be complicit. [KNT]
