ACB traps and arrests PDD lineman in Baramulla for accepting Rs 5,000 bribe
Srinagar, July 11 (KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday trapped and arrested “Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Lineman-II of the Power Development Department (PDD), Sub Division Pattan, Baramulla, for demanding and accepting a bribe of 5,000”.
According to an official statement, the ACB “received a written complaint from an individual alleging that the accused, posted as Meter Reader in Panzinara, Shalteng, Srinagar, had demanded ₹5,000 in exchange for processing a new electricity connection for a residential house.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, seeking legal action. A discreet verification was carried out by a designated officer, which confirmed the allegations. Consequently, FIR No. 13/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and a formal investigation was initiated.
During the investigation, a trap team was constituted, and a successful operation was carried out. The accused, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Buran Pattan, Baramulla, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹5,000 from the complainant at Panzinara, Shalteng Srinagar.
The bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Following due legal procedure, Bhat was arrested on the spot.
The ACB confirmed that further investigation in the case is currently underway”. (KINS)
