Srinagar, 1 June (H.S.): Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today trapped and arrested a Patwari in Anantnag district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.

A statement issued here by the ACB said that they received a written complaint alleging therein that complainant had submitted an application in Tehsil Office Dooru, District Anantnag requesting therein for cutting/pruning Chinar Tree Branches, which is situated near the house of complainant as there were apprehensions of damage of life/property of the complainant due to gusty/strong winds.

Tehsil Office Dooru forwarded his application to Gulzar Ahmad Ganai, Patwari Halqa Lukbhawn Larkipora, Tehsil Dooru for report. When the complainant approached the Patwari, he demanded Rs.10000 as bribe from the complainant in lieu of providing a favourable report.

The complainant chose not to pay a bribe and instead approached Anti Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the Patwari, as provided under law.

On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which confirmed the demand by the Patwari and accordingly case FIR No. 01/2025 u/s 7 of P/C Act 1988 was registered in P/S ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up.

During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the Patwari red handed while demanding and accepting bribe amount of Rs 10000 from the complainant. He was arrested on spot by the ACB team. The bribe amount was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.

Subsequently, search of the residential house of the accused Patwari was carried out in presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar