Police head constable held in Rajouri for allegedly demanding money to release vehicle

Rajouri, Apr 04: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday trapped and arrested a head constable of Police Station Thanamandi in Rajouri district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Head Constable Muhammad Ilyas, posted at Thanamandi police station.

The action was taken following a complaint filed by Abdul Hamid, a resident of Reasi, who alleged that the police official was demanding money for releasing his vehicle involved in an accident.

The case assumes significance as the complainant alleged that he had already paid ₹5,000 earlier, but was being pressured to pay an additional ₹10,000, prompting him to approach the ACB.

According to the complaint, the accident had occurred when Abdul Hamid was on his way to Shahdra Sharif.

“I had already given ₹5,000 earlier. Now the investigating officer was demanding another ₹10,000. I was told that if I don’t pay, they will stretch the case and my vehicle will not be released,” the complainant told the news agency Kashmir News Trust adding that he faced a lot of harassment.

Following the complaint, ACB laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting the bribe amount, officials said.

The accused was subsequently taken into custody, and further investigation in the case has been initiated. [KNT]