Srinagar, Apr 09: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested a Panchayat Secretary in Kulgam after catching him red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 for clearing MGNREGA labour bills.
Officials said the accused, a Panchayat Secretary (VLW) from Block Devsar, was initially demanding ₹10,000 from the complainant, which was later negotiated down to ₹5,000. Refusing to give in to corruption, the complainant approached the ACB for legal action.
Following a discreet verification confirming the bribe demand, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. A trap team was then constituted, which successfully caught the official in the act while accepting the bribe. The accused was arrested on the spot, and the bribe amount was recovered in the presence of independent witnesses.
A search of the accused’s residence was also conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate. Further investigation is underway.
