J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau Traps and Arrests Patwari for Accepting Bribe in Anantnag

Anantnag, August 1, 2024 – The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended Mohammad Ayoub Hajam, a Patwari in Halqa Fatehpora, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5000 for issuing a certified copy of an online mutation related to a land purchase.

The incident came to light when the ACB received a complaint alleging that Patwari Hajam had demanded ₹9000 from the complainant for the issuance of the document. After negotiations, the bribe amount was reduced to ₹5000. Instead of paying the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB for legal action against the Patwari.

Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the bribe demand by the Patwari. Consequently, Case FIR No. 04/2024 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag, and an investigation was initiated.

During the investigation, a trap team was formed. The team successfully caught Mohammad Ayoub Hajam, son of Mohammad Ramzan and resident of Vessu, District Anantnag, red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant. The arrest was made on the spot, and the bribe amount was recovered from Hajam’s possession in the presence of independent witnesses.

Further investigation into the case is ongoing.