JAMMU: The CBI Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Jammu, has arrested a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO), an Agricultural Extension Assistant and a private person for allegedly demanding Rs 35,000 from a complainant in connection with the release of subsidy under the High-Density Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
The accused have been identified as Rajan Sharma, SDAO, Akhnoor; Hith Abhilashi Sharma, Agricultural Extension Assistant; and Ashok Kumar, a private person who allegedly acted as a middleman.
The case was registered following a complaint alleging a demand for money to facilitate the release of the subsidy. During verification, the alleged demand was corroborated through recorded conversations, according to preliminary findings.
As per the CBI, an amount of Rs 15,000 was agreed to be paid as the first instalment to Ashok Kumar and Hith Abhilashi Sharma, allegedly on the directions of the SDAO, while the remaining Rs 20,000 was to be paid subsequently.
The CBI team allegedly caught the private person and the Agricultural Extension Assistant red-handed while accepting the first instalment, following which the SDAO was also arrested. Further investigation into the case is underway.
