J&K ACB Arrests RDD Technical Assistant for Accepting ₹40,000 Bribe in Budgam

BUDGAM, March 12, 2026 — The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) successfully apprehended Sajad Ahmad Raina, a Technical Assistant in the Rural Development Department (RDD) for Block Budgam, while he was caught red-handed demanding and accepting a bribe.

Raina, a resident of Kralwari Budgam, allegedly solicited the illicit payment from a contractor in exchange for preparing and releasing pending bills for completed works executed under the MGNREGA scheme.

Following a formal complaint, the ACB conducted a pre-trap verification which confirmed that the official was insisting on a bribe of ₹40,000.

While the complainant was unwilling to meet the full demand in cash, a deal was struck involving ₹5,000 in currency and a post-dated cheque for ₹35,000. Based on these findings, the ACB Srinagar branch registered FIR No. 06/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

A specialized trap team was constituted to intercept the transaction at the RDD Block office. During the operation, Raina was caught in the act of accepting the marked cash and the cheque.

A subsequent search of the accused’s handbag led to the recovery of an additional ₹39,300 in unexplained cash. The official was immediately taken into custody after completing the necessary medico-legal formalities.

Authorities have confirmed that further investigation into the case is currently underway to determine if other officials were involved in the extortion.