Srinagar, September 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday trapped and arrested a Patwari for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 in Budgam district in exchange for issuing a revenue extract (Fard).
The accused has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, Budgam.
According to an ACB statement, the complainant had submitted an online application on July 21, 2026, on behalf of his elderly grandfather for issuance of a Fard. When he later approached the Patwari to enquire about the status of the application, he was allegedly told that the Revenue Department’s online portal was not functioning.
The complainant subsequently made several visits to the Patwari, but the matter was allegedly delayed on one pretext or another. The Patwari later allegedly demanded ₹12,000 as illegal gratification for processing the document. Following negotiations, the amount was reportedly settled at ₹10,000.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and reported the matter. After verifying the allegations, the Bureau registered FIR No. 14/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Srinagar.
The ACB subsequently constituted a trap team. During the trap operation, Dar was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹10,000 from the complainant.
The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, following which the accused was taken into custody in accordance with law.
Further investigation into the case is underway, the ACB said.
