SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday arrested a Naib Court posted at the JMIC Mahanpur in Kathua district while accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 to allegedly block an appeal against an acquittal order.
A police spokesperson in a statement said, “ACB received a complaint alleging that a public servant, namely Sgct Sudesh Kumar (PID No. EXJ-055648), posted as Naib Court in the court of the Ld. Munsiff, Mahanpur, demanded illegal gratification to prevent the filing of an appeal against an acquittal order in a case pending before the Ld. Munsiff Court, Mahanpur.”
The accused had initially demanded Rs 10,000 from the complainant. “After negotiations, he agreed to accept Rs 8,000. The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB for legal action.”
“Following receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted, confirming the demand. Consequently, FIR No. 10/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station ACB Jammu, and investigation was initiated. During the investigation, a trap team led by a gazetted officer was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting ₹8,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses,” it adds.
The accused was arrested on the spot after due legal procedure. The bribe money was recovered from his possession in front of independent witnesses. A search was also conducted at his residence in the presence of an independent witness and a Magistrate.
Further investigation is underway, the statement added. (JKNS)
