Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped a Junior Building Inspector of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) while allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant.
The accused, Gazala Akhter, posted as Junior Building Inspector in SMC Ward No. 28, Srinagar, allegedly demanded the bribe in connection with the construction of two structures, despite the complainant having already obtained the requisite building permission from the competent authority, the ACB said.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the complainant alleged that Akhter was deliberately delaying and obstructing the construction work and was allegedly putting pressure on him to pay the demanded amount.
Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which, according to the agency, prima facie substantiated the allegations.
Subsequently, FIR No. 11/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
A trap team was constituted to catch the accused. During the operation, Akhter was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from her possession in the presence of independent witnesses, following which she was taken into custody by the ACB.
Further investigation into the matter is underway.
