Srinagar, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir announced on Tuesday the arrest of four government officials for soliciting and accepting bribes.

A statement from the ACB noted, "Today, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau apprehended four officials involved in demanding and accepting bribes."

"One case was documented at the ACB police station in Udhampur, while two additional cases were filed at the ACB station in Rajouri. The ACB was alerted by a complaint that Anil Jamwal, a Junior Assistant in the office of the Superintending Engineer, Udhampur Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department, and Jeet Kumar, a Computer Operator in the same department, were soliciting bribes from the complainant in exchange for a contractor card."

"The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, reached out to the Jammu and Kashmir ACB for legal action against the accused public servants," the statement elaborated.

"Following the complaint, a discreet verification was undertaken, confirming the bribe demand by the involved public servants. Consequently, an FIR was lodged under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988, alongside Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at the Udhampur ACB police station, and an investigation commenced."

"During the investigation, a trap team led by a Deputy Superintendent was formed. This team successfully apprehended the accused public servants as they were caught red-handed, demanding and receiving a bribe of Rs 12,000 from the complainant, witnessed by independent witnesses."

"The bribe was recovered from the accused in the presence of witnesses involved in the operation. Additionally, searches were conducted at Ram Nagar and Laddan Power House in Udhampur, with a Magistrate present."

"In a separate matter, the ACB received a complaint against Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police, Zamurat Manhas, who called the complainant to Mendhar police station regarding a dispute over money with one Abdul Qayoom."

"The complainant requested more time to return the funds, which Abdul Qayoom accepted. Following this, ASI Zamurat Manhas began demanding a bribe to resolve the issue with Abdul Qayoom."

"He (ASI Zamurat Manhas) also intimidated the complainant, threatening to book him under the PSA if he did not pay the bribe. As the complainant, being impoverished, refused to offer illegal payments, he filed a complaint at the Rajouri ACB police station for legal action against ASI Manhas," the statement added.

An FIR was subsequently registered at the Rajouri ACB police station, and during the investigation, a team apprehended ASI Zamurat Manhas red-handed while accepting Rs 5,000 as a bribe from the complainant.

The accused was arrested immediately, and searches were carried out at his residences in Mendhar, Surankote, and Jammu, as stated.

In another instance, the ACB acted on a written complaint stating that the complainant sought help from Patwari Mohd. Razaq at Patwar Halqa Sokar/Prori, Koteranka, to register the names of his three daughters in the revenue records. However, the Patwari demanded a bribe for this service.

"The complainant, not wishing to engage in illegal payments, lodged a formal complaint at the Rajouri ACB Police Station," the statement noted.

An FIR was registered, and subsequent investigations led to the capture of Patwari Mohd. Razaq accepting Rs 10,000 as a bribe from the complainant.

The accused was arrested at the scene, and further searches were conducted at his home. Ongoing investigations in all three cases are in progress," the statement concluded.