SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against Nisar Ahmad Wani, then Senior Fireman (Belt No. 1748) posted with Fire & Emergency Services, Sopore, in connection with a bribery case related to the issuance of a Fire Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC).
According to the ACB, the charge sheet has been filed in connection with FIR No. 16/2024, registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
The case was registered on December 16, 2024, following a written complaint submitted by a resident of Baramulla alleging that Nisar Ahmad Wani had demanded illegal gratification for facilitating the issuance of a Fire Safety NOC required for establishing a timber sale depot at Janbazpora in Baramulla district.
The complainant alleged that the accused had already received Rs 1,500 towards application-related expenses and subsequently demanded an additional Rs 5,000 as illegal gratification on the pretext of fuel charges and other incidental expenses.
Following a discreet verification, the ACB found prima facie evidence supporting the allegations and registered the case. A trap team was subsequently constituted to investigate the matter.
During trap proceedings conducted on December 16, 2024, Nisar Ahmad Wani was allegedly caught while demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
The ACB stated that hand wash and pocket wash samples collected from the accused tested positive for the presence of phenolphthalein and sodium carbonate during forensic examination conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Srinagar.
Following his arrest in accordance with legal procedures, the accused was later granted bail by the competent court.
The investigation was subsequently completed, and sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was accorded by the competent authority. The ACB has now presented the charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, for offences punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and urged citizens to report instances of bribery and corrupt practices through appropriate channels to strengthen transparency and accountability in public services.
