The Anti Corruption Bureau (UT of J&K) filed a Criminal Acquittal Appeal before the Jammu & Kashmir High Court challenging the acquittal of Asif Ali, a Junior Engineer in the Rural Development Department, by the Special Judge Anti Corruption, Kathua, on 30.06.2020. The respondent had been accused of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 8,000/- (retaining Rs. 2,000/- at the time of the trap) from a complainant as 20% commission for passing payment vouchers for construction work executed under the Rural Development Department. The prosecution alleged that a trap was laid, tainted currency notes were recovered, and FSL reports confirmed positive hand/pocket wash results, establishing demand, acceptance, and recovery of illegal gratification under Sections 5(1)(d) read with 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 and Section 161 RPC. The trial court had acquitted the accused, finding the prosecution evidence insufficient, and the appellant contended that the trial court failed to appreciate the evidence in its correct perspective and that the prosecution had proved all essential ingredients of the offence. The High Court reserved judgment on 30.07.2026 and pronounced it on 07.08.2026; however, the full operative outcome is not contained in the provided text excerpt.