Gazala Akhter, Junior Building Inspector of SMC Ward 28, Caught Red-Handed During Anti-Corruption Trap
Srinagar, August 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped and arrested a Junior Building Inspector of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹10,000 bribe from a complainant in connection with construction activity in Srinagar.
According to the ACB, a written complaint was received alleging that Gazala Akhter, Junior Building Inspector, SMC Ward No. 28, Srinagar, had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant in connection with the construction of two structures.
The complainant alleged that he had already obtained the requisite building permission from the competent authority, but the accused official allegedly continued to obstruct the construction and adopted delaying tactics.
The complainant further alleged that the official’s actions caused harassment and pressure, allegedly with the intention of preventing him from completing the construction within the stipulated period unless the demanded amount was paid.
Following receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification. During the verification, the allegations were found to have prima facie substance.
Subsequently, FIR No. 11/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and investigation was taken up.
During the investigation, the ACB constituted a trap team to verify and act upon the alleged demand for illegal gratification.
The trap team subsequently laid a successful trap and apprehended Gazala Akhter red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting ₹10,000 from the complainant.
The alleged bribe amount was recovered from her possession in the presence of independent witnesses, following which she was taken into custody by the ACB for further investigation.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau said that further investigation in the case is underway.
