BARAMULLA, Jun 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against a former official of the Fire and Emergency Services Department in connection with an alleged bribery case involving the issuance of a Fire Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC).
According to an ACB official, the charge sheet has been filed against Nisar Ahmad Wani, then Senior Fireman (Belt No. 1748) posted with Fire and Emergency Services, Sopore, in connection with FIR No. 16/2024 registered at Police Station ACB, Baramulla under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
“After completion of a thorough investigation and obtaining the requisite sanction for prosecution from the competent authority, the charge sheet has been presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, for offences punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” an ACB official said.
The official stated that the case originated from a written complaint lodged by a resident of Baramulla on December 16, 2024. The complainant alleged that the accused public servant had demanded illegal gratification for facilitating the issuance of a Fire Safety NOC required for establishing a timber sale depot at Janbazpora in Baramulla district.
As per the complaint, the accused had initially obtained Rs 1,500 from the complainant towards application-related expenses and subsequently demanded an additional Rs 5,000 as illegal gratification on the pretext of fuel charges and other incidental expenses.
“Following a discreet verification, the allegations were found to be prima facie genuine, leading to the registration of the case and constitution of a trap team,” the official said.
During the trap proceedings conducted on December 16, 2024, the accused was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
The official further informed that forensic examination conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Srinagar, confirmed the presence of phenolphthalein and sodium carbonate in the hand wash and pocket wash samples of the accused, corroborating the trap proceedings. The accused was subsequently arrested and later released on bail by the competent court.
Reiterating the Bureau’s commitment to combating corruption, the ACB official urged citizens to report instances of bribery and corrupt practices through appropriate channels. “The Anti-Corruption Bureau remains committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in public offices and will continue to take strict action against corrupt practices,” the official added.
The court is expected to take up the matter for further proceedings in accordance with law.