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Srinagar, Sept 30: A Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer posted in the State Taxes Department, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly accepting a bribe, has been granted bail by a Special Anti-Corruption Court in Srinagar. The officer, identified as Sarfaraz Ahmad Bhat, Circle-B Commercial Tax Officer, was caught red-handed by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch on September 19 while allegedly receiving a part payment of ₹20,000 from a local trader for clearing a GST file. The total bribe amount demanded was ₹50,000.
The trap was laid following a detailed complaint filed by the trader, leading to Bhat’s immediate arrest in the presence of independent witnesses. He was taken into custody and remanded for investigation as part of a case registered under FIR No. 07/2025.
During the bail hearing, the prosecution opposed his release, arguing that corruption cases involving public servants warranted strict judicial scrutiny as they undermine public trust in institutions. The CBI further contended that given the officer’s influential position, there was a risk he could influence witnesses or tamper with evidence if granted bail.
However, after hearing detailed arguments from both sides, Special Judge Anti-Corruption (CBI Cases) Adnan Sayeed ruled in favour of bail, citing established legal principles, including Supreme Court precedents that emphasize “bail is the rule and jail is the exception.” The court noted that the recovery of the bribe amount had already been made, and further custodial interrogation was unnecessary at this stage of the investigation.
As part of the bail conditions, Bhat has been directed to furnish a personal bond and a surety bond of ₹1 lakh each, refrain from leaving the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir without prior permission, and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
The case continues to be probed by the CBI’s Srinagar branch.