“Sufficient material collected by investigating officer against accused”
Srinagar, Aug 03 : The Special Court in Srinagar Monday granted six days custody of Tehsildar Pantha Chowk, Majid Choudhary to Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a corruption case.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accused Tehsildar who was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe on Tuesday, along with his office clerk, was produced before the Special Judge ACB Srinagar today afternoon.
The Court, presided over by C.L Boleria, observed that allegations against the accused Majid Chowdhary and his clerk Peer Waseem are that he demanded bribe of Rs 1,61,000 from the complainant in lieu of revenue extracts, out of which Rs. 1,20,000 was to be paid to them on 2 August 2022.
“Accordingly, a trap was laid and the accused persons while demanding and accepting the bribe money were arrested at government quarters Tulsibagh and bribe money was recovered from the dash board of their Bolero vehicle (Official),” the Court observed.
Earlier, Special Public Prosecutor Wajahat submitted before the court that the investigation of the case is in its initial stage and the custody of the accused to police custody for custodial interrogation is required.
He further submitted that sufficient material has been collected by the Investigating Officer during investigation regarding the involvement of the accused in corruption.
After hearing prosecution and accused Tehsildar, the Court said that remand application is accepted and accused Tehsildar who is reported physically and mentally fit for custody by the doctors of police hospital, are remanded to police custody for a period of six days.
The Court also directed the Investigating Officer to get COVID19 test of the accused done strictly as per COVID19 SOP and to produce the accused before the court again after the expiry of remand granted.