SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir has arrested Mohammad Ashraf Malik, a computer operator in the Rural Development Department at Block Gund, Ganderbal, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000.
The arrest followed a written complaint alleging that Malik, a resident of Shahpora Ganderbal, sought Rs 10,000 as a bribe to upload documents necessary for processing a payment under the MGNREGA scheme. The payment was related to the completion of a work project at Kulmohar Qalwat near Masjid Sharief Chohan Mohalla, Harri Ganwan, Gund.
A pre-trap verification confirmed that Malik had initially demanded Rs 10,000, but after negotiations, the sum was settled at Rs 3,000 as the first instalment. The verification established the demand, leading to the registration of an FIR under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at the ACB police station in Srinagar.
Subsequently, a trap was laid, and Malik was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant. Following the completion of legal formalities, he was taken into custody. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
