Srinagar- The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Srinagar, has arrested a Deputy Director of Agriculture Law Enforcement and an alleged aide for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a seed dealer.

The accused public servant has been identified as Naseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Director Agriculture Law Enforcement, while his alleged tout has been identified as Mohammad Owais Bhat of Qamarwari, Srinagar.

According to the ACB, it received a written complaint alleging that Khan had demanded Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer in return for allowing him to sell plant seeds at his shop.

The complainant had allegedly already paid Rs 1 lakh under compulsion. Following negotiations, the remaining amount was to be paid in two instalments of Rs 50,000 each.

Unwilling to pay any further bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and sought legal action against the accused public servant.

The ACB said verification of the allegations prima facie established the demand for illegal gratification amounting to Rs 2 lakh.

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 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

An investigation was subsequently taken up by the agency.

On September 30, the ACB constituted a trap team to verify the alleged acceptance of the bribe.

During the trap operation, Khan, along with Bhat, was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 50,000 from the complainant, the ACB said.

Both the accused public servant and his alleged aide were arrested on the spot.

The ACB said the tainted amount of Rs 50,000 was recovered from the possession of the accused during the operation.

Both accused were subjected to medico-legal formalities and subsequently lodged at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, for safe custody.

The ACB said further investigation into the case is underway.