Srinagar, Dec 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday trapped and arrested a Patwari in Shopian district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹25,000 in a land dispute case.
Officials said the accused, Ashiq Hussain Shah, posted as Patwari of Patwar Halqa Pinjura Pehlipura, had allegedly sought illegal gratification for giving a favourable report on an application seeking equal distribution of ancestral property among siblings. The complainant had submitted the application at the Tehsil office Shopian around three months ago, which was later marked to the concerned Patwari for necessary action.
After a discreet verification of the complaint confirmed the demand for bribe, the ACB registered FIR No. 05/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 at its Anantnag Police Station and laid a trap. The Patwari was caught red-handed while accepting ₹25,000 from the complainant, and the tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, officials said.
The accused was arrested on the spot, and a subsequent search was conducted at his residential premises in the presence of Executive Magistrates and witnesses. Further investigation in the case is underway, the ACB added.
