Srinagar, October 1: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Srinagar has arrested Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement Naseer Ahmad Khan and an alleged tout, Mohd Owais Bhat, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a seed dealer.
According to the ACB, Khan had allegedly sought Rs 2 lakh from the complainant in exchange for allowing him to sell plant seeds from his shop. The complainant had initially paid Rs 1 lakh, after which the remaining amount was agreed to be paid in two instalments of Rs 50,000 each.
Unwilling to make any further payment, the complainant approached the ACB and requested action against the accused public servant. Following verification, the bureau said the allegations of illegal gratification were prima facie established.
The ACB subsequently registered FIR No. 16/2026 at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and initiated an investigation.
On September 30, 2026, the bureau formed a trap team to apprehend the accused while accepting the alleged bribe. During the operation, Khan, who is posted as Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement, was allegedly caught along with Mohd Owais Bhat, a resident of Qamarwari, whom the ACB identified as his alleged tout.
The duo were allegedly intercepted while demanding and accepting Rs 50,000 from the complainant. Both were arrested at the spot, while the alleged tainted amount was recovered from their possession, the ACB said.
The arrested persons were later subjected to medico-legal formalities and lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, for safe custody.
The ACB said further investigation in the case is underway.
