Bandipora, 12 June: A forester was caught’red-handed’ by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the Budugam Tulail region of Gurez valley in the Bandipora district while seeking and collecting a bribe.
An ACB officer was quoted by GNS as saying that Mohd Sultan Bhat, the Incharge Block Forester of Budugam Tulail and the son of Ab Jabbar Bhat from Ayatmulla Bandipora, had been detained for taking a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a contractor.
According to him, the contractor was working on a project in a far-flung part of Bandipora district as part of the Indian government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Due of the absence of forest clearing, the contractor has been experiencing difficulties. The goal of the JJM project, which is also being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, is to ensure that all rural families in India have access to clean, reliable water supplies by the year 2024.
After receiving a report about Bhat’s corrupt behaviour, the ACB moved quickly to initiate an inquiry. Using this information, ACB officers set up a trap and caught Bhat red-handed taking the bribe. The police have arrested Bhat.
The ACB has underlined its commitment to eliminating corruption and guaranteeing openness in public services, and has praised the contractor for their bravery in exposing the bribery event. The arrested forester will be brought before the court, where he will face the consequences of his actions.
The ACB reassured the public that allegations of corruption would be dealt with immediately and sternly, and advised residents to be watchful and report any instances of misconduct. The bureau’s efforts to cleanse Jammu and Kashmir of corruption and encourage an atmosphere free of it have been continuing strong for some time.
