Srinagar, Jul 20: Anti-corruption Bureau on Wednesday said to have arrested an Assistant Engineer of Rural Development Department in Sub-Division Awantipora of Pulwama, for demanding and accepting bribe in lieu of releasing payment.

“Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging therein that Mushtaq Ahmad Najar, Assistant Engineer Rural Development Department (REW), Sub-Division Awantipora, Pulwama, is demanding bribe of rupees 2,000 for releasing CDR amount of rupees 7,000”, the Bureau spokesperson said in a statement.

“The complainant alleged that he is a contractor and works in development related works of Block Awantipora, Pulwama. The said CDR was deposited by the complainant for work named “Improvement of walling/ Gate around Panchayat Ghar at Dangerpora Padgampora, Pulwama”, reads the statement.

“Since the contents of the complaint disclose demand of bribe by alleged accused public servant namely Mushtaq Ahmad Najar son of Habibullah, resident of Mirdanter, Anantnag, posted as Assistant Engineer, Rural Development Department (REW), Sub-Division Awantipora, Pulwama, accordingly Case FIR No 13/2022 was registered at PS ACB Anantnag and investigations started. During the course of investigation a trap team was constituted. The team caught the accused official red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of rupees 2,000 from the 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”, the statement maintains.

“Further investigation is going on”, it concludes.