Srinagar, June 26, KDC: In yet another crackdown on corruption within the Geology and Mining Department, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Srinagar on Thursday trapped and arrested a Mineral Supervisor for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹15,000 for allowing the lifting of minor minerals.
The accused, Basharat Habib, posted as Mineral Supervisor, was caught red-handed while receiving the bribe from a complainant, Meraj-ud-Din Cheeta, a resident of Pandrethan, Srinagar.
According to a statement issued by the ACB to news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC), the Bureau received a written complaint from Cheeta alleging that the official was demanding money in exchange for permission to lift sand. Following the complaint, ACB Srinagar conducted discreet verification which confirmed the allegations.
Subsequently, a case FIR No. 11/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended) was registered at ACB Srinagar, and a trap was laid. The accused was apprehended on the spot while accepting the bribe money and was immediately taken into custody. Further investigations are ongoing.
This development comes just two days after another official from the same department was caught red-handed while accepting a ₹10,000 bribe in the Safapora area, signaling a deeper malaise within the department.
The ACB reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and urged citizens to come forward and report such instances without fear. “We remain steadfast in our mission to ensure transparency and accountability in public offices,” the statement concluded. (KDC)
