Civil court reader arrested for Rs15,000 bribe in Muzaffargarh

Lahore: Punjab’s anti-corruption campaign has expanded to the courts with the Anti-Corruption Establishment arresting a civil court reader in Muzaffargarh for allegedly taking a Rs15,000 bribe.

According to anti-corruption officials, the arrested suspect was identified as Zahid Hussain, a BPS-14 employee serving as a reader at the Muzaffargarh Civil Court.

Alleged Rs15,000 bribe

Anti-corruption officials said a citizen, Tanveer Ahmed had complained that the suspect was allegedly demanding Rs15,000 by threatening to delay his case.

Following the complaint, the anti-corruption team conducted an operation and arrested the suspect red-handed while he was allegedly receiving the bribe through marked currency notes. Officials said the operation was conducted with the permission of the District and Sessions Judge.

The raid was carried out under the supervision of Duty Magistrate Zubair-ul-Hassan. A case, FIR No. 65/2026 has been registered against the suspect at the Anti-Corruption Police Station Muzaffargarh. Further legal proceedings are underway.

Action inside court premises

A senior anti-corruption officer told Minute Mirror that this was the first action of its kind in Punjab in which an anti-corruption team arrested a member of the court staff for allegedly taking a bribe inside court premises.

The officer said the operation was conducted according to law and with prior permission from the judiciary. He added that the provincial government’s zero-tolerance policy was being implemented without discrimination and that no department was beyond accountability.

Anti-corruption operations intensify

On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, anti-corruption operations have been intensified across the province. Sources said that after revenue, police and other government departments, court staff are now also being monitored.

A lawyer from Muzaffargarh told Minute Mirror that complaints of alleged demands for bribes in the Registry Branch for official work had been common in the past. However, continued anti-corruption operations have created fear and pressure among those involved in corrupt practices.

Debate on judicial accountability

Legal circles described the action against court staff inside court premises as an important development regarding the scope of accountability. However, legal experts said that while action against corruption should continue, judicial independence and all legal requirements must also be fully respected.

According to a senior legal source, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Lahore High Court Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum are both being viewed as supporting a zero-tolerance approach toward corruption in the judicial system.

More actions expected

Anti-corruption officials said further operations against corruption would continue in different parts of the province. Citizens were urged to report demands for bribes through the relevant anti-corruption authorities and helplines.

The Muzaffargarh case has emerged as an important case regarding accountability action against court staff. However, the allegations against the suspect will ultimately be determined through legal proceedings and the court’s decision.