ACB arrests Deputy Director Agriculture Dept in Rs 2 lakh bribe case

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 1: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu & Kashmir has arrested a Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement and his alleged tout while allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 50,000 bribe in Srinagar, officials said.

According to the ACB, it received a written complaint alleging that the accused public servant, identified as Naseer Ahmad, had demanded Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer for allowing him to sell plant seeds at his shop.

The complainant had already paid Rs 1 lakh under alleged compulsion, while the remaining Rs 1 lakh was agreed to be paid in two instalments of Rs 50,000 each, the ACB said.

Unwilling to pay the remaining amount, the complainant approached the ACB and sought legal action against the accused public servant.

The ACB said verification of the allegations prima facie established a demand for illegal gratification of Rs 2 lakh. Subsequently, Case FIR No. 16/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS.

On September 30, an ACB trap team was constituted. During the operation, the Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement and his alleged tout were  caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 50,000 from the complainant, the ACB said.

Both accused were arrested on the spot and the alleged tainted bribe amount of Rs 50,000 was recovered from their possession.

The ACB said both accused were subjected to medico-legal formalities and lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, for safe custody.

Further investigation in the case is in progress.