Srinagar, Feb 17: Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday arrested Naib Tehsildar Chuker Baramulla for demanding bribe of Rs 30000 for granting permission to axe walnut trees in the north Kashmir district, officials said.
“Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint, wherein the complainant had alleged that Habibullah Mir, Naib Tehsildar Chuker, Tehsil Kunzer, District Baramulla was demanding bribe of Rs 30,000 from complainant for granting permission for removing walnut tree,” ACB said in a statement.
“The complainant the Naib Tehsildar for the removal of the walnut tree with his application moved through Tehsildar Kunzer,” it said, adding, “The tree as per the complainant was very old. It was about to fall anytime. There was apprehensions of tree causing damage to the house or to any family member.” He approached authorities for seeking permission for cutting of tree, the ACB said. “The Naib Tehsildar concerned after visiting the spot asked for a bribe of Rs 30,000 for granting permission,” it said, adding, “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 accused.”
Immediately after receipt of the complaint, the ACB said, 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 Kunzer,” the ACB said, adding, “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 and investigations started.”
During the course of investigations, the ACB said, the Naib Tehsildar was caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 5000 from complainant who had already taken Rs10,000 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,” the ACB said, adding, “Further investigations in the case are going on.”
