J&K ACB arrests Junior Engineer for demanding and accepting bribe

February 1, 2026

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Junior Engineer (JE) in Reasi district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹8,000, officials said on Sunday.

The accused, Rahul Gandotra, posted as Technical Assistant (TA) in the Block Development Office (BDO) Gulabgarh, Mahore, was caught red-handed during a trap operation conducted by the ACB.

According to an official statement, ACB Jammu registered FIR No. 03/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 at Police Station ACB Udhampur against the public servant.

Complaint and Verification

The case stems from a complaint alleging that the JE demanded a bribe from a contractor for preparing a bill related to Rural Development Department (RDD) work executed by the complainant. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB seeking legal action.

Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand for illegal gratification. Subsequently, a formal case was registered and an investigation was initiated.

Trap Operation

During the investigation, a trap team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP)-rank officer was constituted. The team successfully laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹8,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.

The bribe amount was recovered from the accused’s possession, and he was arrested on the spot after due legal procedures.

Search and Past Cases

ACB officials also conducted a search at the accused’s residence — House No. 215, Ward No. 24, Rehari, Jammu — in the presence of a magistrate.

Notably, three other FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act are already registered against Rahul Gandotra at Police Station ACB Udhampur, and those cases are currently under investigation.

Further investigation into the present case is underway, the ACB statement added.