Srinagar, June 1: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (J&K ACB)on Monday said it has trapped and arrested Forest Guard of Forest Division Marwah, in district Kishtwar for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 15,000. He has been identified as Vaseem Ahmad Hap.
As per the statement, a written complaint was received by ACB alleging that the accused demanded a bribe of ₹20,000 from the complainant for expediting the release of security deposits related to allotted works. After negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 15,000 as illegal gratification.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the accused official.
Upon receipt of the complaint, ACB conducted a discreet verification which established the prima facie demand of bribe by the accused public servant. Consequently, 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, a trap team was constituted by ACB. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused public servant namely Vaseem Ahmad Hap S/o Manzoor Ahmad R/o Hidyal, Kishtwar, presently posted as Forest Guard and looking after accounts work in the office of Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division Marwah, red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant. The accused was immediately arrested on the spot, and the bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team, statement said.
Subsequently, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused government employee in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
Further investigation in the case is underway, statement added.
