ACB Catches Patwari Red-Handed in Bribery Case in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a Patwari from Patwar Halqa Banimulla in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 23,000.

ACB said it received a written complaint alleging that the Patwari had demanded money in exchange for issuing a favourable report for the complainant’s application seeking permission to cut walnut trees on private land. The application had been submitted to the Tehsil Office Pahloo, which forwarded it to the concerned Patwari for processing.

“The complainant refused to pay the bribe and instead approached the ACB, which conducted a verification and found the allegation to be genuine. Following this, an FIR (No. 02/2025) under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at ACB Police Station Anantnag,” ACB spokesperson said in a statement.

A trap was laid, and the Patwari, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana, son of Mohammad Ayoub Khatana of Kraloo Kund Kulgam, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe. The bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.

The ACB also searched the accused’s residence in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigation in the case is ongoing.