Corruption Probe Leads to Arrest of Handwara Agriculture Assistant

The Jammu‑Kashmir Anti‑Corruption Bureau reported that Irshad Ahmad Pir, a senior assistant in the Handwara agriculture office, was arrested for taking a Rs 40,000 bribe. The bribe was demanded for the issuance of a pending subsidy bill related to a tractor purchased under the HDP scheme. The allegation originated from a written grievance filed at Baramulla police station, prompting a confidential verification that upheld the accusation. Pursuant to Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018), the case was formally registered and an investigative team employed a trap operation with the help of impartial witnesses. The operation succeeded in catching the official in the act, with the cash recovered and additional corroborating evidence collected. He remains in custody as the probe proceeds.