STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested a clerk in the office of District Industrial Complex, Kupwara for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 5000, processing case of complainant’s wife.
The ACB spokesman said they received a complaint against Saifudin Wani, a clerk in the office of District Industrial Complex, Kupwara wherein the complainant alleged that the concerned official was demanding bribe of Rs 5000 from him for helping him in prepared file of his wife for establishing a Unit under District industries for the activity Tailoring & preparation of Readymade Garments under Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
“The complainant alleged that he applied with DIC Kupwara on August 6, 2021 and is being made to run for one formality or the other and the case of his wife under PMEGP is not being processed on merit for past 2 years,” the spokesman said adding that case of the complainant delayed for two years for want of bribe under PMEGP.
“The complainant further alleged that despite the fact that he had completed all the formalities in the file the officers/officials posted at DIC Kupwara fail to process the genuine case of his wife, that even after lapse of considerable time no action was taken on the file. He is now being asked to pay bribe in order to approve the case and sent it to Punjab National Bank for release of loan amount disbursement,” the spokesman added.
“The complainant further alleged that one of the employee of the District Industrial Centre, Kupwara Saifudin Wani is presently demanding the bribe of Rs. 5000 from him and he lodged his complaint with ACB requesting therein for legal action against concerned,” the spokesman said adding that as the contents of complaint prima facie disclose the commission of offence punishable under Section 7 of the PC Act 1988 by accused public servant namely Safudin Wani, posted in the office of DIC Kupwara, accordingly a Case FIR No. 05/2023 was registered at Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Baramulla U/S 7 of the P.C Act 1988 & the investigation were initiated.
During the course of investigation, the spokesman said, a trap team was constituted which laid a trap and caught the accused official of DIC Kupwara red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 5000.
He was arrested on the spot after completing all legal formalities.
The role of other officials/ officers of the DIC Kupwara is also being looked into and investigations are also looking into the circumstances under which the case of the complainant’s wife was delayed for two years and was approved immediately after receipt of the bribe amount. Further investigation in the case are going on, the spokesman said.