The Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a significant case against a former Assistant Director of Employment for allegedly demanding bribes from Himalayan Motors, a car dealership located at Tengpora Bypass, Srinagar. The case, filed on November 9, 2024, reveals that the official, who served as the nodal officer under the Mumkin scheme for District Kupwara and Bandipora, reportedly demanded Rs 10,000 per vehicle for processing applications during the years 2021-2022. Investigations uncovered a total bribe amounting to Rs 4,00,000, which included Rs 1,39,000 received through e-transactions. An FIR (number 15/2024) has been filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 and IPC section 120-B against the Assistant Director, along with the General Manager and Managing Director of Himalayan Motors. Following the registration of the case, searches were conducted at multiple locations, resulting in the seizure of incriminating documents [e9d13c7e].
In a related context, Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court recently approved an increase in the monthly honorarium for protocol staff at airports and railway stations to Rs 4,000. This decision reflects the government's recognition of the efforts made by protocol staff in their duties [618553b4].
Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir government has been active in addressing corruption and governance issues. Recently, a Patwari was arrested for demanding a bribe of ₹40,000, and various transfers and postings of senior officials have been announced. The government has also engaged a retired Sub Inspector on a contractual basis and appointed an Inquiry Officer to investigate charges against a Senior Prosecuting Officer. Furthermore, Mehbooba Mufti, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has called for accountability, stating that the Director General of Police should have been dismissed [618553b4].