Kulgam July 21 (KNS) : The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday trapped and arrested Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Banimulla, Kulgam, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ?23,000.
The action was taken following a written complaint from a local resident who had applied at Tehsil Office Pahloo for permission to cut walnut trees on his land. The application was forwarded to the concerned Patwari for a report, during which Khatana allegedly demanded ?23,000 in exchange for a favourable report.
Instead of paying the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, which conducted a discreet verification, confirmed the allegations, and registered FIR No.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel02/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
A trap was laid, and the accused Patwari was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount. The money was recovered on the spot in the presence of independent witnesses. A subsequent search was conducted at his residence in the presence of Executive Magistrates and witnesses.
Further investigation in the case is ongoing.