Postal Assistant Caught Red-Handed Accepting Bribe in Bandipora, ACB Initiates Probe
BANDIPORA, July 14: In a decisive action against corruption in public service, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday apprehended a Postal Assistant posted at the Sub Post Office in Bandipora district for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹6,500.
The accused, identified as Mudasir Ahmad, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount from a local resident, following a well-coordinated trap laid by the ACB after receiving a formal complaint.
According to an official spokesperson of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the complainant—an entrepreneur from Bandipora—had availed financial support under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for establishing a mobile and electronic equipment unit. While the loan amount had already been disbursed by the concerned bank, the release of the subsidy component was still pending and required a mandatory physical verification by the postal office.
The complainant alleged that Mudasir Ahmad, the postal official assigned to conduct the inspection, demanded a bribe of ₹6,500 to process and facilitate the release of the subsidy. Refusing to succumb to the demand, the complainant approached the ACB and submitted a detailed written complaint.
Acting swiftly, the Bureau conducted a discreet verification of the allegations, which, according to the ACB, revealed credible evidence supporting the charges. Subsequently, an FIR bearing number 05/2025 was registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
A trap team was constituted, and during the course of the operation, Mudasir Ahmad was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The operation was executed in accordance with all legal formalities, and the accused was taken into custody on the spot.
The arrest marks another instance of the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s continued efforts to uphold transparency and accountability in government institutions, especially those that deal with public welfare schemes and financial assistance programs.
The ACB has confirmed that further investigation into the case is underway, and all relevant records and documents pertaining to the case are being scrutinized to determine if more officials were involved or if similar irregularities have occurred in other cases linked to the PMEGP subsidy disbursement process.
The Bureau has reiterated its appeal to the public to report instances of bribery and corruption, assuring that prompt action will be taken to hold those accountable who misuse their official position for personal gain.
