ACB arrests Jr Assistant Social Welfare deptt Sopore for demanding bribe

Srinagar, May 23 (KNO): Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday said that it trapped and arrested a Junior Assistant of Social Welfare Department, Sopore for demanding bribe for release of financial assistance in favour of handicapped person.

As per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging therein that Bashir Ahmad working as clerk in tehsil social welfare office, Sopore is demanding bribe from complainant for release of financial assistance in favour of handicapped person.

“The complainant alleged that he is a resident of Adipora, Sopore and his wife is a disabled person. She was getting financial assistance from Social Welfare Department. The financial assistance was stopped a few years back. He contacted tehsil social welfare office Sopore. He was informed to get a fresh medical certificate of his wife. On this the complainant submitted the fresh medical certificate. Inspite of submitting the requisite documents the financial assistance was not restored by the concerned officials.”

“He constantly kept on visiting Tehsil Social Welfare office for the restoration of financial assistance. Bashir Ahmad, Jr. Asstt. demanded bribe of Rs 5000 for processing his case. The complainant requested Bashir Ahmad to have mercy on him as he is poor and not in a position to pay the bribe money. But Bashir Ahmad paid no heed to the request of the complainant. On this the complainant approached ACB and requested for action against this corrupt and merciless government official,” the statement added.

It further stated that as the contents of complaint prima facie disclose the commission of offence punishable under section 7 of the PC Act 1988 by accused public servant namely Bashir Ahmad clerk in Tehsil social welfare office Sopore. “Accordingly a case under FIR number 16/2022 is registered in Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Baramulla and the investigation was started. Immediately after registration of the case trap teams were constituted,” the statement said.

It added that the team caught the accused official red handed while demanding and accepting bribe from complainant. He was arrested on the spot by the ACB team. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses. Searches were also conducted in the residence of the accused.

It is pertinent to mention here that the accused was already under facing trial in case FIR No. 22/2004 of PS VOK. This case pertains to ‘Misappropriation of Govt. funds for disbursement among the beneficiaries under National old age pension Scheme’, the statement said, adding that further investigation is going on—(KNO)