The latest case registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against an official in the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar’s office for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income has once again brought to light a deeply entrenched malaise — corruption within the bureaucratic machinery of the Union Territory. While this incident is not an isolated one, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms and greater accountability. For decades, corruption has been a silent plague in Jammu and Kashmir, undermining governance, eroding public trust, and draining development funds meant for the welfare of citizens. The very institutions tasked with implementing government schemes and policies often find themselves tainted by such allegations. The fact that an official in such a key administrative post is under the scanner indicates how corruption can infiltrate even the most sensitive layers of governance. The government must now treat this incident as more than just an isolated case. It must be seen as a wake-up call — a signal to initiate a widescale investigation into the assets and financial dealings of government employees across departments. What is required is not just reactive action against individual cases, but a proactive, institutionalised approach to identifying and rooting out systemic corruption. A comprehensive audit of property, bank accounts, and business interests of government officials — particularly those in revenue, public works, health, and education sectors — should be launched. This should be accompanied by the use of modern data analytics and coordination with agencies such as the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate. Digital trails, unexplained wealth, and the use of benami transactions must be thoroughly investigated. Moreover, the government must ensure that such investigations are insulated from political interference. Transparency and impartiality are non-negotiable if the objective is to clean up the system. The government may also consider whistleblower protection laws to encourage honest officials and citizens to come forward without fear. This is not just about punishing the corrupt — it is about restoring faith in the system. It is about sending a clear message that public office is a position of service, not personal enrichment. If left unchecked, corruption will continue to rob Jammu and Kashmir of the progress and stability it so desperately needs. The government must act decisively. An arrest of one or two officials is not enough. What is needed now is a determined campaign — not just against individuals, but against the culture of impunity that protects them. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a clean, efficient, and accountable administration — and it is the government’s duty to deliver just that.