Srinagar, Oct 1 (NVI) : The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Deputy Director of Agriculture Law Enforcement and his alleged tout for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a seed dealer here, officials said on Thursday.
The accused official has been identified as Naseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement, while his alleged tout is Mohd Owais Bhat, a resident of Qamarwari, they said.
According to the ACB, a complaint was received alleging that Khan had demanded Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer for allowing him to sell plant seeds at his shop.
The complainant had already paid Rs 1 lakh under alleged pressure, following which the remaining amount was to be paid in two instalments of Rs 50,000 each, the agency said.
After the complainant approached the ACB, the allegations were verified and a case was registered under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, officials said.
A trap was laid on September 30, during which Khan and Bhat were allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 50,000 from the complainant, they said.
The tainted money was recovered from their possession and both accused were arrested on the spot, the ACB said.
The accused were subsequently subjected to medico-legal formalities and lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj in Srinagar, it said.
Further investigation into the case is underway, officials added.—(NVI)
