Srinagar, Jul 11: A lineman in the Power Development Department (PDD) was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) while accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 in Srinagar’s Panzinara area.
The ACB received a written complaint against Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Lineman-II posted as a Meter Reader in Panzinara, Sub Division Pattan Baramulla. The complainant alleged that Bhat had demanded money in exchange for processing a fresh electricity connection to a newly constructed residential house in Panzinara, Shalteng.
Refusing to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, prompting a discreet verification of the allegations. The verification substantiated the complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR No. 13/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended) at Police Station ACB Srinagar.
Following this, a trap was laid by a special team constituted for the operation. Bhat, a resident of Buran Pattan Baramulla, was apprehended while demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The arrest took place at the location of the alleged demand in Panzinara, with the recovery of the bribe money made in the presence of independent witnesses.
ACB officials confirmed that further investigation in the case is underway.
