Srinagar, Apr 09: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said it trapped and arrested Shiekh Zada Irfan, a Panchayat Secretary (VLW) posted in Block Devsar, Kulgam, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5,000.
According to an official statement, the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the accused official was demanding ₹10,000 from the complainant for clearing bills related to labour charges under MGNREGA works. The amount was later negotiated and settled at ₹5,000.
“Acting on the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which confirmed the demand. Accordingly, FIR No. 04/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up,” the statement said.
The ACB further stated that a trap team was constituted, which successfully caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount. He was arrested on the spot, and the tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
“Subsequently, a search of the residential house of the accused was conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses,” the statement added.
Further investigation into the case is underway, the ACB said.
