SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a Junior Assistant of the Social Welfare Department in Billawar, Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe linked to the release of financial assistance under a government scheme.
According to the ACB, an FIR No. 03/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered against Des Raj, Junior Assistant at the Social Welfare Department, Billawar, following a complaint regarding illegal gratification.
The complainant alleged that the official demanded Rs 10,000 for processing assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme for his daughter’s marriage, scheduled for 16 April 2026. After negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 5,000. The complainant had already paid Rs 1,500, and the official further demanded Rs 3,000 to release the sanctioned Rs 50,000 assistance.
The complainant approached the ACB instead of paying the bribe. Following preliminary verification, which confirmed the allegations, the bureau registered a formal case and initiated an investigation.
During the investigation, a trap team was constituted and caught the official red-handed while accepting the bribe in the presence of independent witnesses. He was immediately arrested, and the bribe amount was recovered on the spot. A search is also being conducted at his residence in Kishanpur, Billawar, in the presence of a magistrate.
The ACB confirmed that further investigation into the case is ongoing.
