ACB arrests patwari for demanding Rs 10,000 bribe in Dooru Anantnag

Srinagar, May 31: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Saturday caught a patwari red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 bribe in Dooru in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

According to a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the complainant had submitted an application in Tehsil Office Dooru, requesting for cutting/pruning chinar tree branches near his house as there were apprehensions of damage to life and property due to gusty winds.

The statement reads that tehsil office forwarded his application to Patwari Halqa Lukbhawn Larkipora for report. “When the complainant approached the patwari concerned he demanded Rs 10,000 bribe from the complainant,” it reads.

It added that the complainant chose not to pay bribe and instead approached the Anti Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the patwari. “On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which confirmed the demand by the 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”.

It further reads that during the course of investigation, a trap was laid and the said patwari was caught red handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 bribe from the complainant.

The statement reads that 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 his house was carried out in presence of executive magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigation is going on,” it reads.