ACB books Patwari in disproportionate assets case

Srinagar, Jun 17: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir has registered a case against a Patwari in a disproportionate assets case following a preliminary verification into allegations of corruption and illicit wealth accumulation.
According to an official statement, the ACB initiated a discreet verification upon receiving a complaint against Mohd Ayoub Khan, son of Gulsheer Khan, a resident of Doniwari Lolab and serving as a Patwari in the Revenue Department. The complaint alleged that Khan was living an extravagant lifestyle and owned multiple assets, including large orchards, agricultural land, residential properties in Bemina (Srinagar) and Doniwari (Kupwara), several vehicles, and had spent substantial amounts on securing professional college admissions for his children.
The verification revealed that during the check period, the accused had incurred significant expenditures and acquired assets grossly disproportionate to his known sources of income. The findings include:
Purchase of land at Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina, Srinagar, and construction of a double-storey house on the site.
Construction of a second double-storey residential house at Doniwari Lolab, Kupwara. Acquisition of a Hyundai Venue car and a two-wheeler. Considerable expenditure on repayment of bank loans. Substantial expenses on the education of his children, including MBBS admission abroad and nursing admission at a college in Amritsar.
It was also found that the accused began securing frequent bank loans amounting to Rs 75 lakh soon after the complaint was filed, allegedly to conceal his ill-gotten wealth and mislead the investigation.
The ACB stated that the acts of omission and commission by the suspect amounted to criminal misconduct under Section 5(1)(e) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006. Consequently, FIR No. 03/2025 was registered at the Anti-Corruption Bureau Police Station in Baramulla on June 16, 2025.
Following the registration of the FIR, search warrants were obtained from the Hon’ble Anti-Corruption Court Baramulla. Subsequent raids were conducted at multiple locations linked to the accused, during which incriminating material was seized. The seized items included purchase receipts of gold ornaments, iPhones (15 and 15 Pro), and other documents relevant to the investigation. The searches were conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses, as per legal procedure. Further investigation is underway. (KINS)