Reasi, J&K, KDC: : The Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has trapped and arrested a public servant, Rahul Gandotra, a Junior Engineer (JE) posted as Technical Assistant (TA) in the Block Development Office (BDO), Gulabgarh, Mahore, district Reasi, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹8,000.
According to the agency, the ACB registered FIR No. 03/2026 under Section 07 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Udhampur against the accused public servant. The case was registered following a complaint alleging that Rahul Gandotra had demanded illegal gratification for the preparation of a bill related to Rural Development Department (RDD) work executed by the complainant.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action. Acting on the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand of bribe by the accused. Subsequently, a formal case was registered and investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) was constituted. The team laid a successful trap, during which Rahul Gandotra was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe amount of ₹8,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. He was arrested on the spot after following all due legal procedures.
The bribe money was recovered from the possession of the accused in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Additionally, a search of the accused’s residence—House No. 215, Ward No. 24, Rehari, Jammu—was conducted in the presence of a Magistrate.
Officials further disclosed that three FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act have already been registered against the accused at Police Station ACB Udhampur, all of which are currently under investigation.
Further investigation in the present case is ongoing. (KDC)
