Two corrupt J

Srinagar, Apr 12: Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has arrested two senior officials of health and handicrafts departments under prevention of corruption act.

After Jammu and Kashmir was declared the number two corrupt state in the country, the SVO launched a war against corruption arresting at an average of two government employees for demanding and accepting bribe.

A SVO spokesman said one Ghulam Nabi Sheikh lodged a written report alleging that senior assistant in the office of Block Medical Officer Budgam, Abdul Hamid Malik, was demanding Rs 500 as illegal gratification for engaging his son Farooq Ahmad Sheikh as Sweeper in the office.

He said a case was registered and the officials of SVO laid a successful trap to arrest Malik while accepting the bribe of Rs 500.

The money was recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses.

He said in another case, one Fayaz Ahmad Shah alleged that accused Mohammad Ashraf Peer, Store Keeper in the office of Assistant Director, Handicrafts, Baramulla, demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 7000 for release of rent arrears amounting Rs 70,000.

He said after registration of a case, the SVO officials proceeded to Baramulla for investigation, during which they laid a successful trap.

The accused storekeeper received Rs 7000 as bribe from the complainant.

The SVO officials recovered the money and the accused taken into custody.

UNI