Srinagar, June 19, 2026 : In a significant step against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu & Kashmir has filed a charge sheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against a Fire & Emergency Services official accused of demanding and accepting a bribe for facilitating the issuance of a Fire Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC).
According to an official statement, the charge sheet has been filed against Nisar Ahmad Wani, then Senior Fireman (Belt No. 1748) posted at Fire & Emergency Services, Sopore. The case pertains to FIR No. 16/2024 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The case originated from a written complaint submitted by a resident of Baramulla on December 16, 2024. The complainant alleged that the accused demanded illegal gratification for processing a Fire Safety NOC required to establish a timber sale depot at Janbazpora in Baramulla district.
As per the complaint, the accused initially collected ₹1,500 towards application-related expenses and later demanded an additional ₹5,000 as a bribe, allegedly citing fuel charges and other incidental expenses for facilitating the issuance of the certificate.
Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification which prima facie established the allegations. Consequently, a formal case was registered and a trap team was constituted.
During the trap operation carried out on December 16, 2024, the accused was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The tainted currency was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
The ACB further stated that forensic examination conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Srinagar, confirmed the presence of phenolphthalein and sodium carbonate traces on the hand wash and pocket wash samples of the accused, strengthening the prosecution’s case.
After his arrest in accordance with legal procedures, the accused was subsequently granted bail by the competent court.
Upon completion of the investigation, the ACB obtained prosecution sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act from the competent authority. The charge sheet has now been formally presented before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Baramulla, for offences punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Reaffirming its commitment to eliminating corruption from public institutions, the Anti-Corruption Bureau urged citizens to report instances of bribery and corrupt practices through appropriate channels to ensure strict action against offenders and greater transparency in governance.
