SRINAGAR: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), an Agricultural Extension Assistant (AEA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Department, and a private individual in connection with an alleged bribery case linked to the release of a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
According to the CBI, the case was registered on September 19 following a complaint alleging that the SDAO had demanded a bribe of ₹35,000 from a beneficiary for processing and releasing an HADP subsidy.
The agency alleged that the officer directed the complainant to hand over the money either to the Agricultural Extension Assistant or to a private individual.
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and allegedly caught the Agricultural Extension Assistant and the private individual while demanding and accepting ₹15,000 from the complainant.
The SDAO was subsequently arrested from his residence, the agency said.
The CBI said further investigation into the case is underway.
The identities of the accused have not been disclosed by the agency.
