Ishtiyaq Ahmad Baba Drug control Officer Handwara arrested by ACB for demanding and accepting bribe of ₹10,000 from complainant for releasing  seized medicines

Anti corruption Bureau UT of J&K received a written complaint from complainant alleging therein that he is a pharmaceutical distributor by profession and had a valid licence to sell stock and distribute drugs and medicines. On 02/11/23, drug inspector Ishtiyaq Ahmed Baba took some medicines sold by him at Hachmarg Tarathpora, then he issued a notice to him and asked for his licence.
 
2. That on 07/11/23, complainant went to his office at Bumhama Kupwara and showed his licence which officer  declined to accept as valid licence and demanded Ten thousand rupees (₹10,000) from him, on which complainant argued that he is not doing anything illegal, why should he pay bribe, on which drug inspector  threatened him that he will get his licence cancelled, if he did not pay him bribe of ₹10,000.
 
4. As the complainant was against payment of any bribe ,he accordingly approached ACB Baramulla with written complaint requesting for legal action against Drug inspector for demanding and accepting bribe of ₹8000 and demanding more bribe of ₹2000 from him for releasing his seized medicines.
 
5. Immediately on receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which revealed that the Drug inspector had seized some medicines from complainant and on pretext of releasing them he already took bribe of ₹8000 from complainant on 9-11-2023 and was demanding more bribe of ₹2000 from him for releasing his  seized medicines.
 
6. The probe conducted reveal that prima facie offence U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 are made out against accused Public servant namely Ishtiyaq Ahmad Baba, Drug Control Officer Handwara for accepting bribe of ₹8,000 and further demanding ₹2000 bribe from complainant for releasing his seized medicines. As such, case FIR No. 12/2023 U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) was registered at P/S ACB Baramulla against Drug Control Officer Handwara and investigations were initiated.
 
7. During the course of investigations said officer was caught red handed while demanding remaining amount of ₹2000 from complainant. He was immediately taken into custody after completing all legal formalities and was also presented before Hon’ble court at Baramulla which remanded him to police custody.
 
8. Meanwhile searches were also conducted at his residence situated at Bemina Hamdina Colony during which cash amount of ₹2 Lakh was also recovered which was also seized .
 
9. Further investigations are going on.

Announcements