ACB traps, arrests Patwari for accepting bribe in Budgam

Srinagar, Sep 11: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said it trapped and arrested a Patwari after he was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe for issuing a revenue extract (Fard) in the Waterrehal area of Budgam district.
In a statement, a spokesperson said the ACB received a written complaint alleging that a Patwari, namely Bashir Ahmad, posted as Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuing a Fard (Revenue Extract).
He said the complainant, a resident of Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, Budgam, had applied online for issuance of the Fard on July 21, 2026, on behalf of his grandfather, who is elderly and unable to pursue the matter himself.
The spokesperson said that after submitting the application, the complainant approached the concerned Patwari to enquire about its status. The Patwari initially informed him that the Revenue Department’s online portal was not functioning and asked him to visit after some time.
“On subsequent visits to the Patwari Khana, the Patwari allegedly continued to delay the matter on one pretext or another and ultimately demanded Rs 12,000 as bribe for issuing the Fard. After negotiations, the bribe amount was settled at Rs 10,000. As the complainant was unwilling to pay the bribe, he approached the ACB and lodged a written complaint.”
The spokesperson said that, on receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted verification of the allegations, which prima facie established the demand for illegal gratification. Accordingly, Case FIR No. 14/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar and investigation was taken up.
“A trap team was constituted to lay a trap. During the trap proceedings, the accused public servant, namely Bashir Ahmad Dar, Patwari Halqa Gund Ali Nayak, Waterrehal, Tehsil Khansahab, Budgam, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant.”
He said the bribe amount was recovered from the possession of the accused in the presence of independent witnesses, and he was taken into custody in accordance with law. Further investigation in the case is going on. (KNO)