Rajouri: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested a meter reader of the Power Development Department (PDD) in Rajouri for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a consumer.
An ACB spokesperson said that a case under FIR No. 03/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Rajouri under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) against the accused, identified as Arif Iqbal, posted as Meter Reader in PDD Rajouri.
According to the complaint, the complainant, who had earlier operated a tyre repair shop between 2019 and 2021, had been regularly paying his electricity bills. In February 2026, he received a bill of ₹2,497 for the period from December 31, 2025 to January 31, 2026.
The accused allegedly approached the complainant and demanded ₹50,000 to “manage” his electricity billing. When the complainant refused, insisting on paying as per meter readings, the accused allegedly threatened to inflate the bill.
Subsequently, on March 5, 2026, the meter reader reportedly issued a fresh bill of ₹1,53,890 for the period from January 31 to February 28, 2026, with a due date of March 27. Upon being questioned, the accused again demanded ₹50,000 as a bribe to settle the issue, which was later negotiated down to ₹30,000.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and lodged a written complaint.
Following this, a trap team was constituted by ACB Rajouri. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹30,000 from the complainant. He was arrested on the spot.
The ACB also conducted searches at the residence of the accused in Rajouri.
Further investigation in the case is underway.
