Srinagar, September 20, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three accused, including a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) and an Agricultural Extension Assistant (AEA) of the Agriculture Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, along with a private individual, in connection with a bribery case.
The case was registered by the CBI on September 19, 2026, following allegations that the accused SDAO had demanded a bribe of ₹35,000 from a complainant for releasing a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
According to the CBI, the accused officer had directed the complainant to hand over the bribe amount either to the Agricultural Extension Assistant or to a private person.
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and allegedly caught the Agricultural Extension Assistant and the private individual red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹15,000 from the complainant.
Subsequently, the accused Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer was arrested from his residence.
Further investigation in the case is underway.(PIB)
