Khunmoh CTO Bribery Probe: ACB Presents Charge-Sheet Against Dr Bilquees Ara
PCC Officer Caught Red-Handed: ACB Submits Charge-Sheet in ₹20,000 Bribe Case
Srinagar, Dec 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a charge-sheet against Dr Bilquees Ara Sidique, former In-charge Scientist-C at the Pollution Control Committee (PCC) Srinagar, in connection with a high-profile bribery trap case registered earlier this year.
According to ACB officials, the charge-sheet has been submitted before the Court of the Additional Special Anti-Corruption Judge, Srinagar, following a detailed investigation into FIR No. 02/2024 dated January 8, 2024. The case originated from a written complaint alleging that Dr Bilquees had demanded a bribe of ₹20,000 from an entrepreneur in exchange for issuing the ‘Consent to Operate’ (CTO) certificate for a bakery unit located in the Khunmoh Industrial Estate.
Acting on the complaint, ACB laid a meticulously planned trap, during which the accused officer was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting ₹5,000 from the complainant as part of the bribe demand. The trap team recovered the tainted money on the spot, and subsequent chemical testing confirmed the presence of phenolphthalein on her hands, reinforcing the prosecution’s case.
Investigators said the evidence collected during the probe, including witness statements, trap documentation, and forensic results, clearly established the commission of offences under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The section pertains to illegal gratification sought by a public servant for performing official duties.
After securing the mandatory prosecution sanction from the competent authority, the ACB formally presented the charge sheet in court today. Judicial proceedings will now follow, with the next hearing scheduled for February 12, 2025.
