ACB Arrests JE, Rural Development Department, for Demanding & Accepting Bribe in Handwara

Srinagar : Anti-corruption Bureau on Monday said to trapped and arrested a Junior Engineer of Rural Development Department for demanding and accepting bribes in lieu of processing a bill of executed work in Handwara.

“An information was received by Anti Corruption Bureau J&K on ACB Helpline Number 9419678060 from one complainant resident of village Kunnel Qaziabad, Handwara District Kupwara alleging that he has executed some work under MG-NREGA and for preparing & processing the Bill of said work & for preparing labour demand J.E Arshid Ayoub Marazi & GR Suboor Mir are demanding bribe of Rs. 5000/- & 3000/- from him as their commission etc”, reads an ACB handout issued.

“On receipt of this information a discreet verification into the matter was conducted by ACB to ascertain the veracity of allegations during which it was found that the complainant a resident of village Kunnel Panchayat Halqa Rangpath B Dist. Kupwara was authorized last year by panchayat to execute two developmental works titled (A) Improvement of road from Chainag to Ashoponor (B) Filling and leveling of the grave yard near Jamia Masjid Kunnel & that the complainant had completed both the works for which the department initially gave him some amount under the labour head but full labour payment was not given to him,” the handout reads.

“It was also found that on completion of the works complainant (contractor) requested J.E concerned to prepare the bill of both the works but JE concerned demanded bribe of RS 5000 as commission & it was also found that GRS was also demanding bribe of Rs 3000 from complainant as his commission for preparing labour demand. Discreet probes also reveal that both these officials used to take bribes from complainants through m-pay as well as cash on earlier occasions also & were demanding more bribes for the final bill & labour demand. As the complainant was not interested in paying the bribe to these officials he accordingly approached ACB through helpline number & with written complaint subsequently. Under these circumstances the complainant approached ACB and requested for legal action against both these officials JE as well as GRS for demanding a bribe from him.”

“Accordingly on the basis of the findings & recommendation of the Verifying Officer dated 14.03.2024, prima facie offence U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) & section 120-B IPC were made out against accused Public servants namely Arshid Ayoub Marazi, JE & GR Suboor Mir both officials of Rural Development Department Kralgund Handwara for demanding & accepting bribe from complainant for processing/preparing his Bill & putting demand for remaining labour payments case FIR No 02-2024 U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) & section 120-B IPC was registered at PS ACB Baramulla & investigations were initiated,” the handout reads.

“During the course of investigation a trap team was constituted which laid a successful trap and caught the accused JE red handed while demanding and accepting bribes of ₹5000 from the complainant. The bribe money was later recovered from possession of the accused as well as one shopkeeper to whom he has given the money in the presence of independent witnesses. The accused public servants were arrested on the spot after completing all legal formalities. The role of GRS & other officials in case is being investigated,” reads the handout adding, further investigation in the case is going on. (GNS)