J&K ACB traps JE for accepting bribe ₹5000 from complainant in Kupwara

KUPWARA, 15 March 2024: J&K Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) trapped and arrested JE Arshid Ayoub Marazi of J&K Rural Development Department for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5000 from the complainant for processing and preparing Bill of the work executed by the complainant.

An information was received by J&K ACB Helpline Number 9419678060 from one complainant resident of village Kunnel Qaziabad, Handwara in Kupwara district alleging that he has executed some work under MG-NREGA and for preparing & processing the Bill of said work and for preparing labour demand JE Arshid Ayoub Marazi and GR Suboor Mir are demanding bribe Rs. 5000 and Rs 3000 from him as their commission etc.

On receipt of this information, a discreet verification into the matter was conducted by ACB to ascertain the veracity of allegations during which it was found that the complainant a resident of village Kunnel Panchayat Halqa Rangpath B Dist. Kupwara was authorized  last year by panchayat to execute two developmental  works title (A) Improvement of road from Chainag to Ashoponor. (B) Filling and leveling of grave yard near Jamia Masjid Kunnel & that the complainant had completed both the works for which department initially give him some amount under labour head but full labour payment was  not given to him.

It was also found that  on completion of the works complainant (contractor)  requested J.E concerned  to prepare the bill of both the works but JE concerned demanded bribe of Rs 5000 as commission and it was also found that GRS was also demanding bribe of Rs 3000 from complainant as his commission for preparing labour demand. Discreet probe also reveal that both these officials use to take bribe from complainant through m-pay as well as cash on earlier occasions also & were demanding more bribe for final bill and labour demand.

As complainant was not interested in paying birbe to these officials he accordingly approached ACB through helpline number & with written complaint subsequently. Under these circumstances the complainant approached ACB and requested for legal action against both these officials JE as well as GRS for demanding bribe from him.

4.    4.    Accordingly on the basis of the findings & recommendation of the Verifying Officer dated 14.03.2024, prima facie offence U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) & section 120-B IPC were made out against accused Public servants namely Arshid Ayoub Marazi, JE & GR Suboor Mir both officials of Rural Development Department Kralgund Handwara for demanding & accepting bribe from complainant for processing/preparing his Bill & putting demand for remaining labour payments case FIR No 02-2024 U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) & section 120-B IPC was registered at PS ACB Baramulla & investigations were initiated.

5.    5.   During the course of investigation a trap team was constituted which laid a successful trap and caught the accused JE red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of ₹5000 from complainant. The bribe money was later recovered from possession of accused as well as one shopkeeper to whom he has given the money in presence of independent witnesses .The accused public servants was   arrested on the spot after completing all legal formalities. The role of GRS & other officials in  case is being investigated.

6.    6.     Further investigation in the case is going on.