Srinagar: In a major action against corruption in the revenue department, the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday trapped and arrested a Patwari in Udhampur district for demanding and accepting illegal gratification in connection with official work.
Officials said a case was registered against the public servant identified as Pardhan Singh, posted at Patwar Halqa Laddha, Tehsil Moungri in Udhampur, along with the concerned Girdawar. The action followed a complaint alleging demand and acceptance of a bribe for official revenue work.
According to the ACB, the accused Patwari had demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant for Virasiti Intkal and for providing a certified copy, or nakal, of the record. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the accused.
On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted, which confirmed the demand of illegal gratification by the public servant. Following verification, FIR No. 01/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 was registered at Police Station ACB Udhampur and investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police rank was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red handed while demanding and accepting Rs 5,000 as bribe from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.
The accused Patwari was arrested on the spot after following due legal procedure. The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.
The ACB also conducted searches at the rented accommodation of the accused located at Sailan Talab Udhampur and at Basnote area of Tehsil Moungri in the presence of a Magistrate. Further investigation in the case is underway.
