Srinagar, Dec 16, KDC: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday presented a charge-sheet against former Sarpanch of Manigam, Ganderbal, Mohammad Muzaffer Rather, in a bribery case before the Hon’ble Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court, Srinagar.
According to an ACB statement, the charge-sheet was filed in FIR No. 13/2023 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar. “The accused, while serving as Sarpanch of Manigam, Ganderbal, demanded and accepted a bribe of ₹9,000 for facilitating a settlement in a property dispute between the complainant and his sister,” the statement said.
The bureau said a trap was laid following the complaint, and the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount. “The bribe money was recovered on the spot, and chemical tests later confirmed the presence of phenolphthalein on the accused’s hands,” it added.
ACB said that based on the evidence collected during the investigation, the commission of an offence under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was established. “After obtaining the requisite sanction for prosecution from the government, the charge-sheet was presented before the Hon’ble Court today for judicial determination,” the statement said.
The next date of hearing in the case has been fixed for March 2, 2026. (KDC)
