Jammu, April 4 The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir arrested a police head constable on Saturday for allegedly taking a bribe from a person to release his vehicle, which was involved in an accident in the Rajouri district, officials said.
The accused, Head Constable Mohammad Alias, is stationed at the Thanamandi police station in Rajouri, they said.
A complaint was received from a man alleging that on March 13, he was travelling with his family to Shahdara Sharief when their vehicle met with an accident near Thanamandi. His family members were injured and the vehicle was damaged in the accident, police said.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered at the Thanamandi police station and the complainant's vehicle was seized by Alias, the investigating officer, they said.
According to the complaint, Alias initially demanded Rs 20,000 to release the vehicle and initially accepted Rs 5,000. He continued to harass and threaten the complainant, demanding the remaining amount, which was eventually brought down to Rs 10,000 after negotiations, they said.
Based on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and caught Alias red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant. He was arrested on the spot, the officials said.
Searches were also conducted at his residential premises in Rajouri. Further investigation is underway, they said.
A case has been registered against Alias at the Rajouri police station under the Prevention of Corruption Act, they added.