According to an ACB statement, the accused Assistant Engineer has been identified as Mohd Rafi Moon, posted in RDD Block Arin, while the contractor has been identified as Hilal Ahmad Mir, son of Mohd Ramzan Mir, a resident of Gundpora, Rampora, Bandipora.
The ACB said its Police Station Baramulla had received a complaint alleging that the complainant had completed five government works under the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).
“However, the concerned Assistant Engineer, Mohd Rafi Moon, demanded ₹11,000 as bribe for passing his work bills and, upon negotiations, later reduced the amount to ₹8,000,” the statement said.
It further said that despite the complainant’s refusal to pay the bribe, the Assistant Engineer was allegedly deliberately withholding his bills.
Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which prima facie revealed the commission of a cognizable offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
Accordingly, FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered on November 12, 2026, at Police Station ACB Baramulla, and an investigation was initiated.
“Immediately after registration of the case, a trap-laying team was constituted and independent witnesses were associated as per the prevailing norms,” the ACB said.
The bureau said a successful trap was subsequently laid, during which the Assistant Engineer and the contractor were allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹8,000.
The bribe money was recovered from their conscious possession and the recovery was confirmed through independent witnesses and other supporting evidence, the statement said.
Both accused have been arrested and taken into custody, while further investigation into the case is underway. (KDC)
