SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested a Patwari after allegedly catching him red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant in Budgam district.
The accused public servant has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, District Budgam.
According to the ACB, it received a written complaint alleging that the Patwari had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuance of a Fard (Revenue Extract).
The complainant, a resident of Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, had applied online for issuance of the Fard on July 21, 2026, on behalf of his grandfather, who is aged and unable to pursue the matter himself.
After submitting the application, the complainant approached the concerned Patwari to enquire about its status. The Patwari initially allegedly told him that the Revenue Department’s online portal was not functioning and asked him to visit after some time.
The complainant subsequently visited the Patwari Khana several times, but the matter was allegedly delayed on one pretext or another. The Patwari eventually demanded ₹12,000 as bribe for issuing the Fard, which was later settled at ₹10,000 after negotiations, the ACB said.
As the complainant was unwilling to pay the bribe, he approached the ACB and lodged a written complaint.
The ACB said verification of the allegations 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 subsequently constituted. During the trap proceedings, the accused Patwari was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from the possession of the accused in the presence of independent witnesses, following which he was taken into custody in accordance with law.
Further investigation in the case is underway, the ACB said. — (KIMS)