J&K ACB arrests Village Level Worker for demanding and accepting bribe of ₹20,000 for processing case for release of final instalment under PMAY

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint on helpline number from a resident of village Kukrossa, Kupwara. The complainant alleged that he is very poor person and a case under PMAY was sanctioned in his favour by the Block Development Officer, Vilgam.

The complainant received two instalments of monetary assistance of ₹50,000 and ₹75000 from the concerned department through bank account.  The construction of the house of complainant was incomplete due to the non receipt of final instalment of ₹50,000 which was  due in the month of march 2024.

The complainant alleged that he visited the BDO office, vilgam many times, but the payment was refused on one pretext or other by Nazir Ahmad, Village Level Worker (VLW) of concerned Block, who was demanding bribe of ₹20,000 for release of final payment. Under these circumstances the complainant approached Anti Corruption Bureau through helpline number 9419678060 for legal action against concerned VLW of Vilgam, Kupwara

On receipt of information, which prima facie disclosed the commission of offence punishable U/S 7 of the P.C Act 1988 (as amended in 2018), case FIR No. 10/2024 was registered at PS ACB Baramulla and investigation was taken up.

During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by DySP rank officer was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught accused public servant namely Nazir Ahmad VLW block Vilgam District Kupwara while demanding and accepting the bribe money of ₹20,000 from complainant. The bribe amount was recovered from the possession of accused public servant in presence of independent witnesses. The accused was immediately taken into custody after following due process of law.

Further investigation of the case is going on.