Srinagar, October 1: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K has trapped and arrested a Deputy Director of Agriculture Law Enforcement along with his alleged tout for demanding and accepting illegal gratification of ₹50,000 from a seed dealer.

According to the ACB, a written complaint was received alleging that accused public servant Naseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement, had demanded a bribe of ₹2 lakh from the complainant for allowing him to sell plant seeds at his shop. The complainant had allegedly already paid ₹1 lakh under compulsion, following which the remaining amount was to be paid in two instalments of ₹50,000 each.

The complainant approached the ACB, expressing unwillingness to pay the remaining bribe amount and seeking legal action.

The allegations were subsequently verified and found to be prima facie substantiated. Accordingly, FIR No. 16/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS.

The ACB said that on September 30, a trap team was constituted and a trap was laid. During the operation, Naseer Ahmad Khan, along with his alleged tout Mohd Owais Bhat of Qamarwari, was caught red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting ₹50,000 as illegal gratification from the complainant.

Both accused were arrested on the spot, while the tainted money was recovered from their possession, the ACB said.

Following medico-legal formalities, both accused were lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, for safe custody. Further investigation into the case is underway, the ACB said.