Srinagar, Aug 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Junior Building Inspector for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe, following which the civic body has directed ward officers across the city to identify illegal constructions and building deviations without delay.
Gazala Akhter, Junior Building Inspector posted in the SMC’s Batamaloo ward, was apprehended by the ACB in Mominabad, Batamaloo, during a trap operation.
According to the complaint, the accused official had allegedly demanded the bribe from a complainant in connection with the construction of two structures, despite the latter having obtained the requisite building permission from the competent authority. The complainant alleged that the official was deliberately delaying and obstructing the construction and pressuring him to pay the demanded amount.
Following discreet verification, the ACB registered FIR No. 11/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Srinagar. A trap team was subsequently constituted, and the official was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from her possession in the presence of independent witnesses, following which she was taken into custody. The official was reportedly on leave when the trap was conducted.
In the aftermath of the arrest, the SMC has directed all ward officers to identify and examine illegal constructions and building deviations in their respective jurisdictions and furnish details of such cases.
The directive puts the spotlight on the civic body’s building enforcement mechanism and monitoring of construction activity across Srinagar, with ward officers asked to examine violations on the ground without delay.
Further investigation into the bribery case is in progress. [KNT]
