The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a Geology and Mining Department official posted in Ganderbal district while demanding and accepting a bribe of 10,000 from a local complainant.
According to an official statement, the ACB received a written complaint alleging that Ghulam Mustafa, a District Head and in-charge of the area, had demanded a bribe in exchange for granting unofficial permission to lift soil from a specific piece of land. The complainant, who owns a JCB machine, had approached the official seeking guidance on the legal formalities for soil extraction.
Instead of offering proper legal assistance, the official allegedly advised the complainant to bypass the formal process and demanded a bribe of ₹20,000, with 10,000 to be paid as an advance.
Acting swiftly, the ACB conducted a discreet verification through a designated officer, which confirmed the allegations. Based on the findings, a case (FIR No. 10/2025) was registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended) at Police Station ACB Srinagar.
A trap team was constituted, and during the operation, the accused was caught red-handed while accepting 10,000 from the complainant. He was immediately taken into custody.Further investigation into the case is currently underway, the ACB said.(KINS)
