ACB Crackdown: Kulgam Panchayat Secretary Caught Red-Handed Accepting Bribe for MGNREGA Bills
JAMMU, April 09, 2026: In a major strike against grassroots corruption, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) trapped and arrested Shiekh Zada Irfan, a Panchayat Secretary (VLW) posted at Block Devsar in Kulgam, for demanding and accepting a bribe.
In an Press Statement issued by Anti Corruption Bureau The accused, a resident of Muniwara, Anantnag, allegedly demanded ₹10,000 from a complainant to clear outstanding labor charge bills for works completed under the MGNREGA scheme. Following negotiations, the bribe amount was settled at ₹5000.
Refusing to succumb to the illegal demand, the complainant approached the ACB Anantnag, prompting a discreet verification that confirmed the official’s misconduct.
Acting on the complaint, the ACB registered an FIR under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and constituted a specialized trap team to apprehend the culprit.
The operation was successfully executed as the government employee was caught red-handed while accepting the marked bribe money in the presence of independent witnesses.
Following the on-spot arrest and recovery of the cash, a search of the accused’s residential house was conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has taken the official into custody, and further investigation is currently underway to uncover any additional administrative irregularities.