Srinagar, June 22: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally registered an FIR in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) corruption case following a recent trap operation that exposed an alleged bribery network within the civic body. The case has intensified after one of the key accused, an In-Charge Superintending Engineer (SE), reportedly went absconding and is evading arrest.
According to officials, the FIR was registered after the CBI conducted a successful trap operation in which an accused official was allegedly caught while accepting a bribe. Following the operation, the agency widened its investigation and booked multiple individuals under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant laws.
Sources said that while one accused is already in CBI custody, the In-Charge SE named in the case has not been traced so far. Investigators suspect that the officer is deliberately avoiding arrest as searches and raids continue at locations linked to the accused.
The corruption case has sent shockwaves through the SMC, with the investigation focusing on allegations of bribery and abuse of official position in the execution of civic works and administrative approvals. The CBI is also examining financial records and official documents to establish the extent of the alleged corruption network.
Officials said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses. The agency is questioning several officials and collecting evidence to identify the role of each accused in the alleged conspiracy.
The development comes days after the CBI launched a major anti-corruption operation in Srinagar, signalling a wider crackdown on corruption within public institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
