SRINAGAR, SEPT 11: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) trapped and arrested a Patwari while allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 for issuance of a Fard (Revenue Extract) in Waterrehal area of Budgam district.
The accused public servant has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, District Budgam.
According to the ACB, it received a written complaint alleging that the Patwari had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuing a Fard.
The complainant, a resident of Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, had applied online for issuance of the revenue extract on July 21, 2026, on behalf of his grandfather, who is elderly and unable to pursue the matter himself.
After submitting the application, the complainant approached the concerned Patwari to enquire about its status. The Patwari allegedly initially told him that the Revenue Department’s online portal was not functioning and asked him to return later.
During subsequent visits to the Patwari Khana, the matter was allegedly delayed on one pretext or another.
The Patwari subsequently allegedly demanded ₹12,000 as illegal gratification for issuing the Fard. Following negotiations, the bribe amount was allegedly settled at ₹10,000.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and submitted a written complaint.
The Bureau conducted a verification of the allegations, which prima facie established the demand for illegal gratification.
Accordingly, Case FIR No. 14/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar and investigation was taken up.
A trap team was constituted and trap proceedings were subsequently conducted.
During the operation, the accused Patwari was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, following which the accused was taken into custody in accordance with law.
The ACB said that further investigation in the case.
