CBI arrests PMGSY engineer Liyakat Sheikh for ₹30,000 bribe in J&K
Synopsis
A PMGSY Assistant Engineer in Jammu and Kashmir was caught red-handed accepting ₹30,000 in a CBI trap — money he allegedly demanded to release compensation for a house damaged by a government road project. The case spotlights corruption in federally funded rural infrastructure schemes where beneficiaries are often left at the mercy of local officials.
Key Takeaways
The CBI arrested Liyakat Javed Sheikh , an Assistant Engineer with PMGSY , on 17 July in Jammu and Kashmir .
Sheikh , a resident of Shopian , allegedly demanded ₹50,000 initially; the amount was negotiated to ₹30,000 during CBI verification.
He was caught accepting ₹30,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses during a trap operation.
The bribe was allegedly sought to facilitate release of compensation for a house damaged during a PMGSY road construction project.
Searches are underway at locations linked to the accused; the investigation is ongoing.
The CBI has full jurisdiction in J&K under the post- 2019 legal framework, requiring no prior local administration consent.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, 17 July arrested an Assistant Engineer of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in a trap operation in Jammu and Kashmir, after he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a complainant. The accused has been identified as Liyakat Javed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian.
What Triggered the Complaint
According to the CBI, the case originated from a complaint alleging that Sheikh had demanded an illegal payment to process and facilitate the release of compensation owed to a resident whose house was damaged during the execution of a PMGSY road construction project. The initial demand was reportedly ₹50,000. During the CBI's verification process, the amount was found to have been negotiated down to ₹30,000.
How the Trap Operation Unfolded
After completing verification, the CBI formally registered a case and mounted a trap operation. Sheikh was allegedly caught in the act of accepting ₹30,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses and was taken into custody on the spot. Searches are currently being conducted at locations linked to the accused as part of the ongoing investigation.
CBI's Jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir
The CBI has underscored that it holds full jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute offences in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the region's reorganisation in 2019, prior permission from the local administration is no longer required for the agency to register and investigate cases under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act. The agency's authority in the region derives from both historical general consent and the post-2019 legal framework.
What Happens Next
The CBI has stated that the investigation is continuing to ascertain all aspects of the case and that further legal proceedings will follow in accordance with the findings. The agency noted that all allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial process. This arrest is part of a broader pattern of CBI anti-corruption operations targeting public works officials across India, with PMGSY projects — which involve substantial central funding for rural road connectivity — having been flagged in multiple states for procurement and payment irregularities.
Point of View
One of India's largest rural infrastructure programmes, has repeatedly surfaced in anti-corruption actions because it combines high fund flows, local official discretion, and beneficiaries with limited legal recourse. The negotiation of the bribe from ₹50,000 to ₹30,000 before the trap was even set suggests a degree of brazenness that points to systemic rather than individual failure. The CBI's explicit statement on its post-2019 jurisdiction in J&K is also notable — it signals that the agency is actively asserting its expanded mandate in the region, which could mean more such operations ahead.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by the CBI in Jammu and Kashmir on 17 July?
The CBI arrested Liyakat Javed Sheikh, an Assistant Engineer working with the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and a resident of Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir. He was caught allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 during a CBI trap operation.
Why did the CBI arrest the PMGSY engineer?
Sheikh allegedly demanded an illegal payment to process and facilitate the release of compensation owed to a resident whose house was damaged during a PMGSY road construction project. The original demand of ₹50,000 was reportedly negotiated down to ₹30,000 before the trap was conducted.
How did the CBI conduct the trap operation?
After receiving a complaint and completing verification — during which the bribe demand was confirmed at ₹30,000 — the CBI registered a formal case and set a trap. Sheikh was allegedly caught in the act of accepting the money from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses and was arrested on the spot.
Does the CBI have jurisdiction to operate in Jammu and Kashmir?
Yes. The CBI has full jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute offences in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the region's reorganisation in 2019, the agency no longer requires prior permission from the local administration to register and investigate cases under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act.
What happens next in the case?
Searches are being conducted at locations linked to the accused. The CBI has stated that the investigation is ongoing and that further legal proceedings will follow based on the findings. All allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial process.
