Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), an Agricultural Extension Assistant (AEA) and a private person in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the release of subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the CBI, the case was registered on September 19 following a complaint alleging that the SDAO of the J&K Agriculture Department had demanded Rs 35,000 from the complainant for processing and releasing the subsidy under the HADP scheme.
The agency alleged that the SDAO directed the complainant to hand over the bribe either to the AEA or to a private person.
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and allegedly caught the AEA and the private person while demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant.
The SDAO was subsequently arrested from his residence, the agency said.
The CBI has initiated further investigation into the alleged bribery network and the circumstances surrounding the subsidy-related demand.
All allegations are subject to investigation, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
