Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped and arrested Aamir Farooq Sheikh, a Junior Engineer in the Rural Development Department, Shopian, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.
According to a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ACB received a written complaint alleging that Rs 7.5 lakh, related to works executed by the complainant, was pending with the Rural Development Department, Shopian. The accused JE reportedly demanded Rs 20,000 to facilitate the release of the pending payment.
“The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB to initiate legal action. Following discreet verification, FIR No. 04/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag, and an investigation was launched,” the statement said.
A trap team, accompanied by independent witnesses, was formed to carry out the investigation. During the operation, the accused JE was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000, which was recovered from his possession in the presence of witnesses, and he was immediately arrested.
“Following the FIR registration, searches were conducted at his residential premises in Kachdoora, Shopian, and Kanipora, Nowgam, Srinagar. These searches were ongoing at the time of this report. Further investigation is in progress,” the statement added. (Agencies)
