ACB arrests PDD Meter Reader in Rajouri for accepting Rs 30,000 bribe

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a meter reader of the Power Development Department (PDD) in Rajouri for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a complainant.
According to an official, the ACB registered a case against Arif Iqbal, who was posted as a meter reader in the Power Development Department at Rajouri. The case was registered at Police Station ACB Rajouri under FIR No. 03/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).
The official said the case was initiated following a written complaint alleging that the accused had demanded illegal gratification from a local shopkeeper in exchange for adjusting his electricity bill.
“During verification of the complaint, it was revealed that the accused meter reader had initially demanded Rs 50,000 from the complainant to manage his electricity bill. Later the demand was negotiated to Rs 30,000,” the ACB official said.
According to the complaint, the complainant had been running a tyre shop between 2019 and 2021, after which the shop was closed. Despite this, he continued to maintain an electricity connection and regularly paid the bills. In February 2026, he received a bill of Rs 2,497 for the period from December 31, 2025 to January 31, 2026.
Officials said that the accused later approached the complainant and allegedly demanded Rs 50,000, claiming he would take care of the electricity bill. When the complainant refused and said he would pay according to the meter reading, the accused allegedly threatened to increase the bill.
On March 5, 2026, the accused reportedly delivered another electricity bill for the period January 31 to February 28 amounting to Rs 1,53,890 and again demanded Rs 50,000 to adjust the inflated amount. The demand was subsequently reduced to Rs 30,000. After receiving the complaint, the ACB constituted a trap team which laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 30,000 from the complainant. He was arrested on the spot.
An ACB official confirmed that searches were also conducted at the residential house of the accused in Rajouri following his arrest.
Further investigation in the case is currently underway.