Anti-Corruption Bureau Arrests Patwari in Bribery Case

Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) announced on Tuesday the arrest of Patwari Halqa Chanapora, Srinagar, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 for issuing revenue extracts.

Officials informed the Press Trust of Kashmir that the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau received a written complaint against Patwari Halqa Chanapora Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Bugam Chadoora. The complaint alleged that Bhat demanded Rs 40,000 as a bribe for issuing revenue extracts for a residential house and 15 marlas of land in Ghurdawara Lane, Chanapora, Srinagar. The complainant had applied online for these extracts 15 days prior.

The complainant, opposed to paying the bribe, approached the ACB Srinagar to take legal action against the accused. Following the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted, confirming the bribe demand by the public servant. Consequently, a case under FIR number 17/2024 was registered under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and an investigation commenced.

A trap team was formed during the investigation. The team successfully caught Farooq Ahmad Bhat red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 40,000 from the complainant at Patwar Halqa Chanapora. A personal search of the accused led to the recovery and seizure of an additional Rs 35,000 in cash. Bhat was arrested on the spot.

The ACB has stated that further investigation into the case is ongoing.