Jammu, April 6: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday arrested a Junior Assistant posted in the Social Welfare Department in Billawar area of Kathua district after he was caught allegedly accepting a bribe in a trap operation linked to a welfare scheme.
The action follows a complaint alleging demand of illegal gratification for release of financial assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme, with verification by the agency confirming the demand before registration of a formal case.
The accused has been identified as Des Raj, Junior Assistant in the Social Welfare Department, Billawar. A case under FIR No. 03/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Jammu under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the complaint, the accused had demanded ₹10,000 from the complainant for facilitating release of ₹50,000 assistance meant for the marriage of his daughter scheduled on April 16. The amount was later negotiated to ₹5,000, of which ₹1,500 had already been paid earlier.
The complainant subsequently approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau after the accused allegedly demanded an additional ₹3,000 to process the case.
During investigation, a trap team was constituted, and the accused was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount in the presence of independent witnesses, the agency said.
The accused was arrested on the spot following due legal procedure, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of witnesses associated with the trap team.
Searches are also being conducted at his residence in Kishanpur area of Billawar in the presence of a Magistrate. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.