Jammu and Kashmir: CBI arrests engineer over PMGSY bribe

On July 17, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an assistant engineer employed under the Prime Minister's Rural Road Scheme (PMGSY) in Jammu and Kashmir. The arrest followed a complaint alleging that the official demanded a bribe to expedite compensation for damage to a resident’s house caused by road construction. Initial demand was reported as Rs 50,000, later negotiated to Rs 30,000. In a sting operation, the engineer was caught receiving the payment in the presence of independent witnesses and was taken into custody. The CBI has opened a case, continues to search premises linked to the accused and emphasises its authority to investigate crimes in Jammu and Kashmir under the post‑2019 legal framework without prior local permission.