SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday arrested a Forest Guard posted in Marwah area of Kishtwar district after he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a complainant.
According to an ACB spokesperson, the bureau received a written complaint alleging that the official had demanded Rs 20,000 for facilitating the release of security deposits linked to allotted works. After negotiations, the amount was allegedly reduced to Rs 15,000 as illegal gratification.
The complainant approached the ACB instead of paying the bribe, following which a verification was carried out that reportedly confirmed the demand. A case under FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was subsequently registered at Police Station ACB Central Jammu.
Following the registration of the case, a trap team was constituted and laid a successful operation. The accused, identified as Vaseem Ahmad Hap, son of Manzoor Ahmad of Hidyal, Kishtwar, and presently posted as Forest Guard in the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division Marwah, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.
The tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, officials said.
The accused was arrested on the spot, and further searches were conducted at his residential premises in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and witnesses.
The ACB said investigations into the case are continuing.
