Jammu, Sep 02: The Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it has arrested a Junior Assistant posted in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner (General), Jammu, for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 15,000 bribe for issuing a marriage certificate.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the accused, identified as Ajay Kumar, son of Late Ram Murti, resident of Gango Chack, Gajansoo, Jammu, was caught while demanding and accepting the bribe.
He said a written complaint was received by the ACB alleging that the accused had demanded Rs 20,000 from the complainant for issuing a Marriage Certificate under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Following negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 15,000 as illegal gratification.
The spokesperson said the complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB and requested legal action against the accused. Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which established a prima facie case of demand of bribe.
Consequently, FIR No. 11/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, was registered at Police Station ACB Central J&K, Jammu, and an investigation was taken up.
During the investigation, a trap team was constituted by the ACB. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant. He was arrested on the spot, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
Subsequently, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused government employee in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses. Further investigation into the case is underway. (KNO)
