Srinagar, Sept 11 (NVI) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested a Patwari after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The accused, identified as Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari of Gund Ali Nayak Halqa in Waterrehal area of Khansahab tehsil, had allegedly demanded money from a complainant for issuing a revenue extract (Fard), the ACB said.
According to the anti-graft agency, the complainant had applied online on July 21 for issuance of the Fard on behalf of his elderly grandfather.
The complainant later approached the Patwari to enquire about the status of his application. The official allegedly delayed the matter on various pretexts and eventually demanded Rs 12,000 as bribe, which was later settled at Rs 10,000 after negotiations, the ACB said.
The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB, following which the agency verified the allegations and found prima facie evidence of illegal gratification.
A case was subsequently registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and a trap team was constituted.
During the trap operation, the accused Patwari was allegedly caught while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses and the accused was taken into custody, the ACB said.
Further investigation in the case is underway.—(NVI)
