SRINAGAR, Aug 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped and arrested Gazala Akhter, Junior Building Inspector, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Ward No. 28, Srinagar, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant.
According to an ACB official, the Bureau received a written complaint alleging that the accused official had demanded illegal gratification in connection with the construction of two structures, despite the complainant having already obtained the requisite building permission from the competent authority.
The ACB official said the complainant alleged that the accused was deliberately delaying and obstructing the ongoing construction, allegedly causing harassment and putting pressure on him to pay the demanded amount so that the construction could be completed within the stipulated period.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted, which prima facie substantiated the allegations,” the ACB official said.
Following the verification, FIR No. 11/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar and investigation was taken up.
The official said that during the investigation, a trap team was constituted and a trap was laid. The team allegedly caught Gazala Akhter 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 and the accused public servant was taken into custody,” the ACB official said.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau said further investigation into the case is in progress.