SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday has arrested a land broker and alleged tout for allegedly accepting ₹11,000 in illegal gratification on behalf of a Patwari for issuance of revenue extracts in Batamaloo area of Srinagar.
According to the ACB, a written complaint was received alleging that Saleem Altaf, Patwari Halqa Batamaloo, through his associate Ab. Hamid Khan, had demanded a bribe from the complainant for issuing revenue extracts pertaining to his house.
The complainant had applied online for the extracts on behalf of his father for the purpose of mutation attestation. The alleged bribe was initially fixed at ₹20,000 and later settled at ₹16,000. The complainant alleged that ₹5,000 had already been paid as the first instalment, while a further ₹11,000 was demanded.
Following verification of the allegations, the ACB registered FIR No. 13/2026 under Sections 7 and 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS at Police Station ACB Srinagar.
A trap team was subsequently constituted. During the trap proceedings, Ab. Hamid Khan was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹11,000 as illegal gratification on behalf of the Patwari.
The accused was taken into custody. During his personal search, the ACB said it recovered the trap amount of ₹11,000 along with ₹25,125 in cash, payment slips, the revenue extract in question and a sale deed pertaining to Mohammad Sidiq Sheikh.
The recovered items have been seized as per procedure and are being examined as part of the investigation.
The ACB said the involvement of Patwari Saleem Altaf in the alleged demand and acceptance of illegal gratification through the tout is being ascertained. Further investigation in the case is underway. — (KIMS)