Anantnag, Mar 29 (NVI): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday arrested a Special Police Officer (SPO) for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹18,000 in Anantnag district, officials said.
An ACB spokesperson, the accused, posted at Police Station Larnoo, had demanded money from a complainant for the release of documents of a load carrier.
The complainant alleged that he was stopped by a police naka party at Badihar Bridge on March 26 while driving from Mati to Badihar. After checking the vehicle and documents, the police personnel asked him to report to Police Station Larnoo the next day.
On March 27, when the complainant visited the police station, the SPO allegedly demanded ₹30,000 for returning the documents. The amount was later reduced to ₹25,000 over the phone and finally settled at ₹18,000.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, following which a discreet verification was conducted that confirmed the allegations.
A case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at ACB Police Station Anantnag, and a trap team was constituted.
“The accused SPO was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount,” the spokesperson said, adding that the money was recovered in the presence of independent witnesses.
The official was arrested on the spot, and searches were also conducted at his residence in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
Further investigation in the case is underway, the ACB said.(NVI)
