Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
In a major crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday arrested a Patwari and his assistant after allegedly catching them red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹70,000.
According to an ACB spokesperson, the accused have been identified as Shashi Kumar, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Gole, and his assistant, Harkeerat Singh.
The action followed a written complaint alleging that the duo had demanded ₹70,000 as illegal gratification from the complainant for issuing two Fards (revenue extracts). Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and sought legal action against the accused officials.
After conducting a discreet verification, the ACB established a prima facie case of bribery and registered FIR No. 08/2026 at Police Station ACB Central, Jammu, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An investigation was subsequently launched.
During the investigation, the ACB constituted a trap team, which laid a successful trap. The accused officials were allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹70,000 from the complainant. Both were arrested on the spot, and the tainted money was recovered from their possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings.
The ACB also conducted searches at the residential premises of both accused in the presence of Executive Magistrates as part of the investigation.
Further investigation into the case is underway, the spokesperson said.
