ACB traps Dy Director Agri, tout with bribe

Srinagar, Oct 1: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K on Thursday said it had trapped the Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement and his alleged tout while demanding and accepting a Rs 50,000 bribe in Srinagar.
In a statement, a spokesperson said the ACB Srinagar received a written complaint alleging that the accused public servant, namely Naseer Ahmad, had demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer for allowing the complainant to sell plant seeds at his shop.
“Under compulsion, the complainant had already paid the bribe amount of Rs 1 lakh. Following negotiations, the further amount was to be paid in two instalments of Rs 50,000 each,” he said.
He said the complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB and requested legal action against the accused public servant.
The spokesperson said that upon receipt of the complaint, the allegations were verified and the verification prima facie established the demand for illegal gratification of Rs 2 lakh. Accordingly, Case FIR No. 16/2026 under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and investigation was taken up.
The spokesperson said that on September 30, a trap team was constituted to lay a trap. During the proceedings, the accused public servant, Naseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement, along with his alleged tout, Mohd Owais Bhat, resident of Qamarwari, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 50,000 as illegal gratification from the complainant.
Both the accused public servant and his alleged tout were arrested on the spot, he said.
He said the tainted bribe money of Rs 50,000 was also recovered from their possession. Both accused were subjected to medico-legal formalities and have been lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, for safe custody. Further investigation into the case is in progress. (KNO)