Jammu: In a major anti-graft operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) caught a Patwari from Samba district red-handed while accepting a bribe and later recovered more than Rs 35 lakh in cash during searches. The action marks one of the most significant recent crackdowns by the ACB against corruption in the revenue department.
ACB registered FIR number 19/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Sunil Kumar, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Dadui, tehsil and district Samba, for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from a complainant.
The accused had allegedly demanded Rs 1,00,000 as a bribe for preparing a report sought by Tehsildar Samba concerning correction of Girdawari on the complainant’s application. After negotiations, the amount was settled at Rs 80,000.
The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau to take legal action against the Patwari. Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand for bribe. Consequently, a case was registered and a trap was laid.
During the operation, the accused was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 20,000 as part payment of the agreed bribe amount from the complainant, in the presence of independent witnesses. The ACB team immediately arrested him on the spot after following all legal formalities and recovered the bribe money from his possession.
Subsequently, during the search of his personal vehicle, a massive cash haul exceeding Rs 35 lakh was recovered and seized. A search of his residential premises was also conducted in the presence of magistrates.
The ACB has confirmed that further investigation into the case is underway to ascertain the source of the recovered cash and uncover any additional assets linked to the accused public servant.
