Subsidy Bill Clearance Under HADP Scheme Allegedly Used to Demand Illegal Gratification; FIR Registered, Accused Arrested
Handwara, October 12 :
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has caught a Senior Assistant posted at the Sub-Division Agriculture Office in Handwara red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹40,000 for clearing a pending subsidy bill.
The accused has been identified as Irshad Ahmad Peer, who was apprehended during a trap operation conducted by the ACB Police Station Baramulla.
Complaint Triggers ACB Investigation
According to the ACB, a written complaint was received at Police Station Baramulla alleging that the accused official had demanded ₹40,000 from the complainant in exchange for releasing a subsidy bill relating to a tractor purchased by the complainant’s brother under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
Following receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification of the allegations. During the verification process, the allegations regarding the alleged demand for illegal gratification were found to be substantiated, according to the bureau.
FIR Registered Under Prevention of Corruption Act
Based on the complaint and the verification report, the ACB found a prima facie case disclosing the commission of an offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
Accordingly, FIR No. 06/2026 was registered on October 12, 2026, at Police Station ACB Baramulla, and an investigation was initiated into the matter.
Trap Laid, ₹40,000 Recovered
Immediately after the registration of the FIR, an ACB trap team was constituted in accordance with the prescribed procedure, with independent witnesses associated with the operation.
During the subsequent trap operation, the accused official was apprehended while allegedly demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹40,000. The money was recovered from his possession, and the recovery was documented and corroborated through other evidence gathered during the operation, the ACB said.
Accused Taken Into Custody, Probe Underway
The accused has been arrested and taken into custody, while further investigation into the case is in progress.
The ACB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged demand for bribe in connection with the release of the subsidy bill under the HADP scheme.
The case highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in the delivery of government services, particularly in matters involving agricultural subsidies and financial assistance to beneficiaries.