Jammu, July 18: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced on Friday that it has arrested an assistant engineer involved in a bribery case linked to the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
According to the CBI, the action followed a complaint alleging that Liaqat Javed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian, demanded illegal payment from a local resident to facilitate compensation for damage caused to the complainant’s house during a PMGSY road construction project.
The complaint indicated that the initial demand was ₹50,000. However, the CBI’s investigation revealed that the amount was negotiated down to ₹30,000.
Following the investigation, the CBI registered a case and conducted a sting operation. During this operation, the officer was reportedly caught accepting ₹30,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses and was arrested on the spot.
The investigative agency stated that searches are being conducted at locations linked to the accused as part of the ongoing investigation.
The CBI reiterated that it is committed to uncovering all aspects of the case and will take further legal action based on the investigation’s findings. The inquiry into the allegations and judicial proceedings are currently underway.
The CBI has full authority to investigate and prosecute crimes in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the region’s reorganization, the agency no longer requires prior permission from local administration to register and investigate cases under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act.
The CBI’s power to operate in Jammu and Kashmir stems from both historical ‘general consent’ and the legal framework established after 2019.
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