In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered two separate cases — one in Samba and another in Budgam — exposing serious misuse of power and deep-rooted corruption in the revenue and licensing departments.
According to a statement issued to Kashmir News Corner (KNC), the first case involves Sunil Kumar, a Patwari of Patwar Halqa Dadui, Tehsil & District Samba, who was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from a complainant. The ACB registered FIR No. 19/2025 U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against him.
The Patwari had allegedly demanded ₹1,00,000 as a bribe for preparing a report related to Girdawari correction ordered by the Tehsildar Samba. After negotiation, he agreed to take ₹80,000. However, the complainant reported the matter to ACB, which verified the complaint and set up a trap.
During the operation, the accused was caught red-handed accepting ₹20,000 in the presence of independent witnesses. Subsequent searches led to the recovery of ₹35 lakh in cash from his vehicle, while searches at his residence were conducted in the presence of magistrates. The accused was arrested on the spot, and investigations are underway to trace the source of the seized money and identify possible accomplices.
In a separate case, ACB Srinagar registered FIR No. 21/2025 after verifying a complaint filed by residents of Arigam, Budgam, regarding the illegal construction of a petrol pump on Kahcharaie land.
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Investigations revealed that Ali Mohammad Khan obtained a petrol pump license in 2020 using forged NOCs issued by revenue officials, including the then Patwari Arigam, Naib Tehsildar Arigam, and Tehsildar Khansahab. These officials falsely declared the land feasible and hid the fact that State and Shamilat land separated the proposed site from the main road.
The ACB found that the officials had acted in criminal conspiracy with the beneficiary to encroach on State land and extend undue financial benefits. Accordingly, offences under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and Section 120-B IPC were established, leading to registration of the FIR at ACB Police Station Srinagar.
The ACB said these consecutive actions demonstrate its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, especially within the revenue department, and reaffirm the Bureau’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance. —(KNC)
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