ACB Arrests Girdawar, Lumberdar While Taking ₹20,000 Bribe in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 10 (PTK): In a major anti-corruption action, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday caught a Girdawar and a Lumberdar red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 in Srinagar.

As per an official statement issued to PTK, the arrested officials include Ayaz Ahmad Hurra, Girdawar of Chatabal, who was also holding the additional charge of Patwari Halqa Habakadal and Halqa Shivpora, and Mohammad Rafiq Sheikh, a Lumberdar from Halqa Habakadal.

The arrest followed a formal complaint submitted by a local resident, who alleged that Ayaz Ahmad had demanded a bribe of ₹50,000 for providing revenue extracts needed for the sale deed of an ancestral house at Mandir Bagh, Srinagar. The complainant had earlier paid ₹30,000 and was directed to pay the balance ₹20,000 on Thursday.

The complainant stated that the bribe demand was communicated through Lumberdar Rafiq Ahmad, who was allegedly acting on behalf of the Girdawar.

Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a pre-trap verification that confirmed the authenticity of the allegations. Following this, a case FIR No. 06/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and 61(2) BNS was registered at ACB Police Station, Srinagar, and investigations were initiated.

A trap team was constituted and successfully laid a trap, during which Ayaz Ahmad Hurra was caught red-handed while accepting ₹20,000 from the complainant through Mohammad Rafiq Sheikh.

Both accused officials were taken into custody after completing all required legal procedures. According to the ACB, further investigation in the case is ongoing.

The Bureau reiterated its commitment to eradicating corruption and ensuring clean, transparent administration across Jammu and Kashmir. (PTK)