ACB traps and arrests Engineers of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited for demanding and accepting bribe of ₹48000 for releasing payment

Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint, wherein the complainant stated that he is an Electrical Contractor and was allotted tendered work by STD-I, Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), Jammu for relocating 33 KVA Line at Jagti in front of IIM and he had submitted bills after completion of work allotted to him on 10.02.2022. He further complained that he has received payment amounting to ₹15,04000/- only out of total value of bill amounting to ₹19,41,000/- and balance amount of ₹3,82000/- is still to be released by Surinder Kumar, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE).

2. When the complainant visited the office of Surinder Kumar, AEE, he demanded bribe @ 3% of already released amount of ₹15,04000/- which comes to ₹48,000/-. He further asked him to give the said amount of ₹48,000/- to Charanjeet Singh, Assistant Engineer (AE) and only then he will release the balance payment of ₹3,82,000/-.

3. Upon receiving the instant complaint a case FIR No. 05/2022 P/S ACB Jammu U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and 120 IPC was registered at P/S ACB, Jammu. Subsequently, a trap team was constituted whereupon the accused Surinder Kumar, AEE and Charanjeet Singh, AE posted in STD-I, JPDCL, Jammu were caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of ₹48,000/- from the complainant. Both the accused were arrested and taken into custody by ACB Team. The bribe money was also recovered from their possession in presence of independent witnesses. Immediately after the trap, searches were conducted in residential houses of the accused.

4. Further investigation into the case is on.