JAMMU, Apr 5: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday said that it has trapped and arrested a Junior Engineer of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) in Katra for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹75,000.
An official spokesperson said that a case FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered against the accused, identified as Anirudh Sharma, son of Ashwani Kumar Sharma, a resident of Janipur, Jammu, posted as JE in Sub Division JPDCL (PDD) Katra.
The accused had allegedly demanded illegal gratification from a complainant for replacement of an electric meter and reduction of the monthly electricity bill. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB for legal action.
Following the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted, which confirmed the demand for bribe. Subsequently, a formal case was registered at Police Station ACB Udhampur and investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police was constituted. The team successfully laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹75,000 as the first instalment of the bribe from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.
The accused was arrested on the spot after following due legal procedures, and the bribe amount was recovered from his possession. A search was also conducted at his residence in Janipur, Jammu, in the presence of a Magistrate.
Further investigation into the case is underway, the spokesperson added.
