Synopsis
A Jammu and Kashmir animal husbandry official was arrested by the CBI for demanding a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from a job seeker. The official accepted Rs 50,000 before being caught during a UPI transaction. Legal actions are underway, highlighting ongoing corruption issues in public service.Key Takeaways
- CBI arrested animal husbandry officer for bribery.
- Accused demanded Rs 5 lakh from job aspirant.
- Initial payment of Rs 50,000 accepted via UPI.
- Investigation prompted by a complaint from the applicant's family.
- Legal proceedings initiated under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) A staff member from the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department of Jammu and Kashmir was apprehended by the CBI for soliciting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh and accepting Rs 50,000 from a job seeker for a position advertised in newspapers, as confirmed by an official on Thursday.
The accused, Asif Ahmad Bhat, a section officer, requested the bribe from Gulzar Hussain, a resident of Poonch, who was aiming for a role as a stock assistant in the department.
Following a complaint lodged by Gulzar Hussain’s son with the CBI, ACB, Jammu, the agency verified the claim and caught the accused red-handed while negotiating the bribe amount, an official stated.
A case was filed on Wednesday citing allegations that the accused demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh for processing Gulzar Hussain’s case. During discussions, the accused instructed the job applicant to transfer Rs 50,000 as an initial bribe via online UPI to a designated mobile number.
The CBI’s FIR revealed that Bhat informed the complainant that once a favorable outcome regarding his employment was achieved, the remainder of the bribe would be solicited.
Bhat was arrested during the UPI transaction to the mobile number provided by him, and his arrest was succeeded by CBI searches at his residence in Jammu.
An official reported that the accused was subsequently taken into custody and presented before the Special CBI Court, which handles anti-corruption cases in Jammu.
On Thursday, the trial court ordered that Bhat be placed in judicial custody for 14 days, according to an official.
Search operations were also carried out at Bhat's office in the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department located at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu.
The CBI FIR filed against Bhat indicates that he has been charged under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment Act 2018). He faces charges for demanding an undue advantage as a public servant.
According to Section 7 of the Act, a public servant who accepts or seeks an undue advantage, or attempts to do so, can be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of three years, which may extend to seven years, in addition to a fine.
