Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a major anti-corruption victory on March 17, 2026, as the Anti-Corruption Bureau apprehended PDD meter reader Arif Iqbal in a classic trap operation. The bust came after repeated bribe demands to alter inflated electricity bills.
The victim, who ran a tire shop until 2021, maintained his connection and paid bills dutifully. A modest Rs 2,497 bill arrived in February 2026, but Iqbal saw an opportunity. He contacted the man, proposing bill adjustments for Rs 50,000. Rejection led to threats, followed by a massive Rs 1,53,890 bill days later.
Bargaining reduced the ask to Rs 30,000, but the complainant filed a complaint with ACB Rajouri. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, an FIR was lodged, and a team laid a meticulously planned trap. Iqbal was caught accepting the tainted cash on the spot and arrested immediately.
Post-arrest, ACB raided his home in Rajouri, seizing potential evidence. The case highlights systemic issues in meter reading and billing, where officials wield power over households. As probes deepen, this incident may expose wider networks of corruption within the PDD.
Residents are urged to report similar demands, bolstering ACB’s efforts to clean up the department and restore public trust in essential services.