Naib Tehsildar arrested while demanding bribe in Kunzer

SRINAGAR — Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday said that it arrested a Naib Tehsildar of Chuker in Kunzer tehsil of Baramulla district while demanding a bribe from a complainant.

In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), ACB spokesperson said that Habibullah Mir, Naib Tehsildar, Chuker was arrested for demanding Rs 30,000 as a bribe from the complainant for granting permission for cutting a walnut tree.

The statement reads that ACB received a complaint, wherein the complainant had alleged that Naib Tehsildar Chuker was demanding a bribe of Rs 30,000 from the complainant for granting permission for removing the walnut tree.

It reads that the complainant approached Habibullah Mir for the removal of the walnut tree with his application moved through Tehsildar Kunzer. “The tree as per the complainant was very old. It was about to fall anytime. There were apprehensions of the tree causing damage to the house or to any family member. He approached authorities for seeking permission for cutting of the tree,” it said.

It added, “The Naib Tehsildar concerned after visiting the spot asked for a bribe of Rs 30,000 for granting permission. The amount was later settled at Rs 20,000. Out of the agreed amount, the complainant deposited Rs 10000 in the bank account of the Naib Tehsildar on the directions of the accused.”

It reads that immediately after receipt of the complaint, a pre-verification was conducted by ACB into the matter. “Based on pre-verification, prima facie offences U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) were made out against the alleged accused person Habibullah Mir Naib Tehsildar.”

It reads that accordingly, a case FIR No. 07/2022 was registered in Police Station ACB Baramulla U/S 7 of the PC Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) against accused public servant & investigations started.

The statement reads that during the course of investigations, the accused was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 5000 from the complainant who had already taken Rs 10,000 from him earlier through Bank accounts.

“The accused was immediately arrested on spot and his house was also searched. During the search, many incriminating documents were obtained by the searching team. Further investigations in the case are going on,” it reads.