Srinagar, Oct 21 (BANN): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) announced on Monday that they apprehended a Patwari from Halqa Mujgund, Srinagar, while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.
According to a statement released to the Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau received a formal complaint alleging that Ruman Qayoom, Patwari of Halqa Mujgund, was demanding Rs 1 lakh as a bribe. The bribe was sought in exchange for processing the registration stamp duty for a land purchase of 2 kanals and issuing the relevant revenue documents.
“After negotiations, the bribe amount was agreed upon as Rs 50,000 for the first installment, with the remaining Rs 50,000 to be paid after completing the task. However, the complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, decided to file a formal complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” the statement said.
Following the complaint, a discreet verification confirmed the Patwari’s demand, leading to the registration of an FIR under number 22/2024 in accordance with Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The investigation then commenced.
The ACB formed a special team that successfully conducted a trap operation, arresting Ruman Qayoom, a resident of Sector-C, Gulberg Colony Hyderpora Srinagar, as he accepted the Rs 50,000 bribe.
The accused has been taken into custody after completing all legal formalities, and the investigation is ongoing.
