ACB secures Patwari’s conviction in bribery case, files chargesheet against another

Srinagar, Mar 16: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday said that the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar has convicted a Patwari in a bribery trap case, while a chargesheet has also been filed against another Patwari in a separate case in Udhampur.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said a significant verdict reinforcing the commitment to combating corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, Dr. Tasleem Arief Ganie, convicted Bashir Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Wahab Dar, resident of Arreh Mohanpora Kulgam, in a bribery case registered under FIR No. 03/2012 PS VOK now ACB.

He said, the accused, then-serving as Girdawar, was found guilty under Sections 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 161 RPC, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹1,000 from the complainant, in exchange for Intikhabs of land measuring 36 Kanals and 12 Marlas.

“Following a complaint filed on February 09, 2012, a trap was successfully laid by the Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (now Anti-Corruption Bureau), during which the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.”

“After thorough investigation, a chargesheet was filed on February 02, 2013, and the case proceeded for judicial determination. On March 16, 2026, the Hon’ble Court delivered the judgment, sentencing the accused Under Section 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of J&K PC Act, of simple imprisonment for two years along with a fine of ₹10,000/- and a sentence of simple imprisonment for a term of one year and fine of Rs 5000/- for the commission of offences punishable under section 161 RPC,” he said.

The spokesperson further said, this conviction marks another milestone in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service.

He added, in another case, Anti-Corruption Bureau Udhampur-Reasi has produced charge sheet in case FIR No.33/2017 33/2017 P/S VOJ (now ACB) under section 5(1) (d) r/w 5 (2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and 120 B RPC before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Udhampur against accused person Mohd Saleem Banday the then Patwari Halqa Mand Tikri Udhampur now Girdawar Halqa Judda Tehsil Arnas District Reasi for entering/attesting a mutation No. 2338 dated 09.08.2006 u/s 6 of Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 with respect to Khasra No 871 Min measuring 1 Kanal in favour of Sh. Chuni Lal S/O Inder Dass R/O Mand, 1 Kanal (Gair Mumkin Dukan) and 06 Marlas (Gair Mumkin Dukan) in favour of Sh. Subash Chander, Kuldeep Kumar, Mohan Lal Ss/o Parmanand R/O Mand Tehsil & Distt. Udhampur.

“The instant case was registered on the basis of a verification conducted by Vigilance Organization into the allegations that the ownership rights by way of attesting mutation under section 6 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 have been conferred to the above said persons out of way by Mohd Saleem Banday the Patwari Halqa Mand and Sh. Faquir Chand then Naib Tehsildar Tikri (Now Expired).”

“The section 6 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 was neither applicable nor operative in the said case i.e. (Shops) because the application of section 6 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 exclusively applies to (Dwelling House), occupied by a person who is a tiller,” he said.

“The said public servants along with the beneficiaries by abuse of their official position for ulterior motives conferred undue benefits in favour of the beneficiaries and violated the laid down rules while entering the attestation of said mutation,” said the spokesperson.

“It is pertinent to mention that accused Mohd Saleem Banday has been arrested by ACB in case FIR No. 04/2026 P/S ACB UR Jammu (Trap case) who is presently in judicial custody and one more FIR No. 06/2013 has also been registered against him in P/S VOJ (now ACB) which is under investigation”.