Jammu, Mar 17 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested a meter reader of the power development department (PDD) in Rajouri district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a consumer, officials said.
An ACB spokesperson said a case under Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against Arif Iqbal, posted as meter reader in PDD Rajouri, on the basis of a written complaint.
He said the complainant received a bill of Rs 2,497 for the period December 31, 2025, to January 31, 2026. The accused allegedly demanded Rs 50,000 to “manage” the billing, threatening that the amount would otherwise be inflated.
The meter reader later delivered another bill for Rs 1,53,890 for the period January 31 to February 28, 2026, with a payment due date of March 27, 2026, and again demanded Rs 50,000 to adjust the amount, the spokesperson added.
The demand was subsequently negotiated down to Rs 30,000.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, which laid a trap. The accused was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 30,000 from the complainant and was arrested on the spot, the spokesperson said.
Searches were also conducted at the accused’s residence in Rajouri, he said, adding that further investigation is underway. PTI AB AB ARB ARB
Category: Breaking News
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