Srinagar, Sep 11: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday caught a Patwari red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a complainant for issuing a Fard (revenue extract) in Budgam district.
The accused has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, Budgam.
According to the ACB, it received a written complaint alleging that the Patwari had demanded illegal gratification for issuing the revenue document.
The complainant had submitted an online application for the Fard on July 21, 2026, on behalf of his elderly grandfather. He later approached the Patwari to enquire about the status of the application.
The official allegedly cited technical issues with the Revenue Department's online portal and subsequently delayed the matter on various pretexts.
The Patwari allegedly initially demanded Rs 12,000, which was later negotiated and settled at Rs 10,000, the ACB said.
Following the complaint, the allegations were verified and found prima facie substantiated. The bureau subsequently registered an FIR under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Srinagar and launched an investigation.
A trap team was constituted, following which the accused public servant was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, and the accused was taken into custody in accordance with law.
Further investigation into the case is underway, the ACB said.
