Srinagar, Oct 18 (KNS): ACB trapped and arrested a revenue official in Bohipora area of Kupwara for demanding bribe of ?30,000 from complainant for allowing construction and releasing material and equipment seized by revenue authorities.
In a statement issued to KNS a spokesperson said that an information was received by ACB from one complainant regarding demand of bribe by a Patwari.
The statement reads that in his complaint he alleged that while he was constructing some shops in his private land the patwari concerned with other revenue officials came to the site and took away his material, equipment’s etc with them.
“He further alleged that he accordingly approached tehsildar concerned who directed him to meet NT and patwari. He further stated that when complainant met Patwari Hashim Amin Malik he demanded bribe of ?50,000 from him and told him that he will be given seized items back and will be allowed to work also if he pays the bribe money.”
It added that on this he pleaded that he cannot pay huge bribe and it was later on negotiated for ?30,000.
“As the complainant was not interested in paying bribe under these circumstances, he approached ACB and filed a written complaint against patwari for demanding bribe and requested for legal action.”
It reads accordingly on receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted by the ACB. “The verification revealed that the revenue team including patwari Hashim Amin Malik has taken away the equipments, construction material from the complainant under construction site and patwari concerned is now demanding bribe from complainant for allowing construction and releasing the material/equipments seized and has directed complainant to come with bribe money on Monday.”
It reads that on the basis prima facie offences u/s 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 were made out against accused patwari for demanding bribe. Accordingly a case FIR No. 11/2023 was registered in Police Station ACB Baramulla U/s 7 of the PC Act 1988 and the investigation was initiated.”
It added that during the course of investigations the accused patwari was arrested on spot while demanding bribe of ?30,000 from complainant and accepting same through his tout and his close accomplice Bashir Ahmad Mir, who is evading arrest.
“Searches are also conducted in the residential house of the accused patwari. Further investigations of the case are going on,” it reads. (KNS)