The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday trapped and arrested a Forest Guard posted in Marwah, Kishtwar, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹15,000 from a complainant.
According to an ACB spokesperson, a written complaint was received alleging that the accused official had demanded ₹20,000 for expediting the release of security deposits related to allotted works. Following negotiations, the accused allegedly agreed to accept ₹15,000 as illegal gratification.
The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the accused.
After receiving the complaint, ACB conducted a discreet verification which reportedly established the prima facie demand of bribe by the public servant. Subsequently, FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Central Jammu and an investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted by the ACB. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused, identified as Vaseem Ahmad Hap, son of Manzoor Ahmad of Hidyal, Kishtwar, presently posted as Forest Guard and looking after accounts work in the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division Marwah, red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹15,000 from the complainant.
The accused was immediately arrested on the spot, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings.
Following the arrest, searches were also conducted at the residential premises of the accused government employee in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
ACB officials said further investigation into the case is underway.
