J&K ACB files chargesheet against fire official in Baramulla bribery case
Synopsis
A Sopore fireman demanded ₹5,000 to clear a Fire Safety NOC for a timber depot — and was caught red-handed in a trap operation. The J&K ACB has now filed a chargesheet in Baramulla's special anti-corruption court, with forensic evidence confirming the bribe. It is a small case with a clear message: no public service gate is too minor for accountability.
Key Takeaways
The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filed a chargesheet on 19 June before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla .
The accused, Nisar Ahmad Wani (Belt No.
1748), was then posted as senior fireman at Fire & Emergency Services, Sopore .
He allegedly demanded ₹5,000 as bribe — after already collecting ₹1,500 — to facilitate a Fire Safety NOC for a timber sale depot at Janbazpora, Baramulla .
Wani was apprehended on 16 December 2024 during a trap operation; forensic tests confirmed the presence of bribe-detection chemicals on his hands.
Charges are filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 ; Wani was arrested and later released on bail.
The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday, 19 June filed a chargesheet before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against a fire and emergency services official accused of demanding illegal gratification for issuing a Fire Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC). The case centres on Nisar Ahmad Wani, then senior fireman (Belt No. 1748) posted at Fire & Emergency Services, Sopore, who was arrested during a trap operation in December 2024.
Background of the Case
The case was registered on 16 December 2024 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), following a written complaint by a resident of Baramulla. The complainant alleged that Wani had demanded a bribe for facilitating the issuance of a Fire Safety NOC required to establish a timber sale depot at Janbazpora, Baramulla.
According to the ACB, Wani had already collected ₹1,500 from the complainant towards purported application expenses, and subsequently demanded an additional ₹5,000 under the pretext of fuel charges and incidental costs.
How the Accused Was Caught
Following a discreet verification that prima facie substantiated the allegations, the ACB constituted a trap team. During the trap proceedings on 16 December 2024, Wani was apprehended while allegedly accepting the illegal gratification from the complainant. The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
Forensic examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Srinagar, confirmed that hand wash and pocket wash samples of the accused tested positive for phenolphthalein and sodium carbonate — standard chemical markers used to trace bribe money. Wani was arrested in accordance with due process and was subsequently released on bail by the court.
Chargesheet and Legal Proceedings
Upon completion of the investigation, the competent authority accorded sanction for prosecution as required under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The chargesheet, linked to FIR No. 16/2024 registered at Police Station ACB, Baramulla, has now been presented before the special anti-corruption court at Baramulla. Wani faces charges punishable under Section 7 of the Act.
ACB's Broader Message
The J&K ACB reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and urged citizens to report instances of bribery and corrupt practices through appropriate channels. This case is part of a sustained enforcement drive by the bureau targeting officials who exploit administrative processes to extract illegal payments from the public. With the chargesheet now filed, the matter moves to the trial stage before the special court.
Point of View
000 — but it exposes a well-worn extortion template: exploit a mandatory clearance, in this instance a Fire Safety NOC, to extract payments from small business owners who have no recourse but to comply. The ACB's use of forensic verification and trap proceedings is procedurally sound, and the filing of a chargesheet within six months of the FIR signals institutional follow-through. The real test, however, is conviction — J&K's special anti-corruption courts carry a backlog, and trap cases that clear investigation often stall at trial. Sustained public trust in the ACB depends not just on arrests but on verdicts.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the J&K ACB bribery case against the fire official?
The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a chargesheet against Nisar Ahmad Wani, a senior fireman posted at Fire & Emergency Services, Sopore, for allegedly demanding ₹5,000 as a bribe to facilitate a Fire Safety NOC for a timber sale depot in Baramulla. The case was registered on 16 December 2024 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
How was the accused fire official caught?
The ACB constituted a trap team after a discreet verification substantiated the complainant's allegations. Nisar Ahmad Wani was apprehended on 16 December 2024 while allegedly accepting the bribe amount. Forensic Science Laboratory tests on his hand and pocket wash samples returned positive results for phenolphthalein and sodium carbonate, confirming contact with the marked bribe money.
What charges does Nisar Ahmad Wani face?
Wani faces charges punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), for demanding and accepting illegal gratification as a public servant. The chargesheet has been presented before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla.
What was the bribe demanded and what was it for?
According to the ACB, Wani first collected ₹1,500 from the complainant towards application expenses and then demanded an additional ₹5,000 under the pretext of fuel and incidental charges. The gratification was sought in exchange for facilitating a Fire Safety No Objection Certificate needed to set up a timber sale depot at Janbazpora, Baramulla.
What happens next in the case?
With the chargesheet filed before the special anti-corruption court in Baramulla, the case now moves to the trial stage. Wani was arrested following the trap operation and has since been released on bail by the court. The prosecution sanction required under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act has already been granted by the competent authority.
