Two irrigation officials caught red-handed

Srinagar, May 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested two officials of the Irrigation Division Anantnag for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a complainant in connection with a land dispute case.

According to officials, the accused have been identified as Nazir Ahmad Wani, serving as Ziladar, and Bilal Ahmad Wagay, Patwari, both posted in Irrigation Division Anantnag.

An official spokesperson said the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the two officials had sought a bribe for processing and deciding a complaint related to alleged encroachment on government land at Ashajipora near Dabruna in Anantnag district.

During verification, the complainant informed the ACB that the officials initially demanded an amount equivalent to the market value of one marla of land, estimated at nearly Rs 4 lakh, to settle the matter in his favour. After negotiations, the demand was allegedly reduced to Rs 1 lakh.

The complainant declined to pay the bribe and approached the Anti Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the accused officials.

Following a preliminary verification, the ACB found that the land under dispute was reportedly proprietary land belonging to the complainant and not state land. The verification also substantiated allegations of bribery against the officials.

Subsequently, the ACB registered FIR No. 05/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018) at Police Station ACB Anantnag and initiated an investigation.

A special trap team was constituted, which successfully apprehended both officials while allegedly receiving the bribe amount. The officials were arrested on the spot, and the cash was recovered in the presence of independent witnesses, the spokesperson said.

The ACB also carried out searches at the residences of the accused officials in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.

Further investigation into the case is underway.