Big Catch for ACB: Deputy Director Held in Rs 50,000 Bribe Trap

Srinagar,Oct, 01: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has trapped and arrested a Deputy Director of Agriculture Law Enforcement along with an alleged tout for allegedly demanding and accepting illegal gratification of Rs 50,000 from a seed dealer in Srinagar.

According to the ACB, the accused public servant has been identified as Naseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement, while his alleged tout has been identified as Mohd Owais Bhat, resident of Qamarwari.

The ACB said it received a written complaint alleging that Naseer Ahmad Khan had demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer for allowing him to sell plant seeds at his shop. The complainant had allegedly already paid Rs 1 lakh under compulsion, while the remaining amount was to be paid in two instalments of Rs 50,000 each.

After receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted verification, which, according to the bureau, prima facie established the allegations of illegal gratification. Subsequently, FIR No. 16/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS.

The ACB said a trap team was constituted on September 30, 2026. During the trap operation, Naseer Ahmad Khan and his alleged tout Mohd Owais Bhat were reportedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 50,000 from the complainant.

The tainted money was recovered on the spot, the ACB said. Both accused persons were arrested and subjected to medico-legal formalities before being lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, for safe custody.

The Agriculture Law Enforcement wing plays an important regulatory role in the agriculture sector, particularly in monitoring the quality and lawful sale of agricultural inputs such as seeds, pesticides and fertilizers. These inputs are closely linked with Kashmir's major horticulture and fruit economy, which supports thousands of growers, traders and other stakeholders.
The ACB said that further investigation in the case is in progress.