The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Jammu & Kashmir has apprehended a Patwari and his assistant in Jammu for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹70,000. The arrests were made following a complaint filed by a resident who alleged the officials sought the payment for issuing crucial revenue documents.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the ACB received a formal complaint detailing the demand for ₹70,000 as illegal gratification. The complainant approached the ACB seeking intervention and legal action after the accused officials refused to process the issuance of two Fards, which are revenue extracts, without the payment.
The ACB initiated a discreet verification process to substantiate the allegations. This preliminary inquiry confirmed a prima facie case of bribery against the public servants. Subsequently, an First Information Report (FIR) bearing number 08/2026 was registered at the Police Station ACB Central, Jammu. The case was filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), marking the commencement of a formal investigation.
To apprehend the officials, the ACB constituted a dedicated trap team. The team successfully laid a trap, catching the accused public servants, identified as Shashi Kumar, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Gole, and his assistant, Harkeerat Singh, red-handed. The officials were found in the process of demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹70,000 from the complainant. Both individuals were arrested on the spot, and the recovered bribe money was seized in the presence of independent witnesses accompanying the trap team.
Following their arrest, authorities conducted searches at the residential premises of both Shashi Kumar and Harkeerat Singh. These searches were carried out in the presence of Executive Magistrates, adhering to established legal procedures. The ACB has stated that the investigation into the matter is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.
The Chenab Times News Desk