STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a revenue official after trapping him red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe in Budgam district.
An ACB official, while confirming the arrest, said, “The Anti-Corruption Bureau follows a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Any public servant found misusing official position for personal gain will be dealt with strictly under law.”
According to official, the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the complainant had applied before the concerned Revenue authorities for issuance of a Revenue extract and a bank lien certificate in respect of his property situated at Rakh Soothu, BK Pora, Budgam, required for a bank guarantee.
The complainant alleged that upon approaching the concerned Patwari of Halqa Rakh Soothu, namely Riyaz Ahmad Khan, the official failed to process the case in a lawful and timely manner. Instead, the Patwari allegedly demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 10,000, later increasing the demand to Rs 30,000, for preparing and issuing the required revenue documents.
Unwilling to pay the bribe and expressing his resolve to stand against corruption, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Srinagar, seeking legal action against the accused official.
Following receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand of bribe by the accused public servant. Consequently, Case FIR No. 02/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar, and investigation was set into motion.
During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted. The team laid a well-planned trap and successfully caught the accused, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Patwari Halqa Rakh Soothu, Budgam, red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe amount of Rs 10,000 from the complainant.
After completing all necessary medico-legal and procedural formalities, the accused public servant was taken into custody.
The ACB has reiterated its commitment to act firmly against corruption and has appealed to the public to come forward and report instances of bribery and misuse of official position.
Further investigation in the case is underway.
