ANANTNAG, Dec 26: Continuing its drive against corruption in public offices, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday arrested a clerk of the Rural Development Department’s Engineering Wing in Anantnag for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe for clearing an official payment.
The accused has been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Ahanger, a clerk posted in the RDD office at Anantnag. Officials said the arrest followed a written complaint received by the Anti-Corruption Bureau from a local resident.
According to the complaint, the complainant’s father had completed the construction of an irrigation Ladh, after which the bill was duly submitted and forwarded to the concerned RDD office for payment. However, it was alleged that the clerk demanded illegal gratification for processing and releasing the payment.
Refusing to succumb to the demand, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the government employee. Acting on the complaint, ACB officials carried out a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand of bribe by the accused clerk.
Following verification, FIR No. 06/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag, and a formal investigation was launched. As part of the probe, a trap team was constituted to catch the accused in the act.
Officials said the trap was successfully laid, and Manzoor Ahmad Ahanger was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount. The tainted cash was recovered from his possession on the spot in the presence of independent witnesses, after which he was immediately taken into custody.
Subsequently, the residential premises of the accused were searched in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses as part of the investigation. Further examination of records and other aspects connected with the case is currently underway.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau reiterated its commitment to act firmly against corruption and urged citizens to report any demand for bribes by public servants. Officials said strict legal action would continue against those found misusing their official positions for personal gain.