Srinagar, Sept 11 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday trapped and arrested a Patwari in Budgam district while he was allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant for issuance of a Fard (revenue extract), officials said.
Spokesperson in a statement issued here to news agency JKNS stated that, ACB J&K, received a written complaint alleging that a Patwari, namely Bashir Ahmad, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuance of a Fard (Revenue Extract).
The complainant, a resident of Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, District Budgam, had applied online for issuance of the Fard on 21.07.2026 on behalf of his grandfather, who is old-aged and unable to pursue the matter himself.
After submission of the application, the complainant approached the concerned Patwari to enquire about its status. The Patwari initially informed him that the online portal of the Revenue Department was not functioning and asked him to visit after some time. On subsequent visits to the Patwari Khana, the Patwari allegedly continued to delay the matter on one pretext or another and ultimately demanded ₹12,000 as bribe for issuance of the Fard. After negotiations, the bribe amount was settled at ₹10,000.As the complainant was unwilling to pay the bribe, he approached the ACB and lodged a written complaint.
On receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted verification of the allegations, which prima facie established the demand for illegal gratification. Accordingly, Case FIR No. 14/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar and investigation was taken up.
A trap team was constituted to lay a trap. During the trap proceedings, accused public servant namely Bashir Ahmad Dar Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, District Budgamwas caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs.10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from the possession of the accused in the presence of independent witnesses and he was taken into custody in accordance with law. Further investigation of the case is going on. (JKNS)
