JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday trapped and arrested a Junior Assistant of the Social Welfare Department in Billawar area of Kathua district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a complainant.
An ACB spokesperson said that a case under FIR No. 03/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Jammu against Des Raj, Junior Assistant posted in the Social Welfare Department, Billawar, District Kathua.
According to the ACB, the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant for releasing assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme in favour of the complainant’s daughter, whose marriage is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
The spokesperson said that after negotiations, the accused agreed to accept Rs 5,000 as bribe for facilitating the release of Rs 50,000 under the scheme.
“The complainant had already paid Rs 1,500 to the accused public servant. Thereafter, the accused again demanded Rs 3,000 for releasing the financial assistance,” the spokesperson said.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau and sought legal action against the accused.
Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification which corroborated the allegations of bribery. Subsequently, a formal case was registered and investigation was taken up.
During the investigation, a trap team was constituted by the ACB. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.
The accused was arrested on the spot after completion of legal formalities. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in the presence of the independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings.
The ACB said that searches are also being conducted at the residence of the accused at Kishanpur, Billawar, in the presence of a magistrate.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
