SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated legal proceedings against a former patwari in Kishtwar for allegedly demanding a substantial bribe and subsequently accepting a portion of it from a complainant. The case involves allegations of corruption in the issuance of a crucial revenue document.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the case, registered as FIR No. 02/2026, falls under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The proceedings have been launched at Police Station ACB Doda against Mohd Arif Mir, who formerly served as the Patwari of Trigam Patwar Halqa and resides in Malipeth, near the Grid Station in Kishtwar. The ACB’s action stems from a complaint detailing the misuse of official authority.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s findings, the complainant alleged that Mir had demanded a sum of Rs 5 lakh for the purpose of issuing a Fard, a fundamental document in revenue administration that certifies land ownership and details. The bureau’s verification process confirmed the preliminary basis for a case.
Further investigation by the ACB revealed that the accused official allegedly accepted Rs 3 lakh of the demanded amount through a cheque, which was considered illegal gratification. Following this acceptance, the Fard was reportedly issued to the complainant, implying a direct link between the bribe and the official service rendered.
To gather evidence and ensure due process, the ACB secured a search warrant from the competent court. Subsequently, a search was conducted at the residential premises of Mohd Arif Mir in Malipeth. The search was carried out in the presence of a magistrate and independent witnesses to maintain transparency and legality.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with the ACB continuing its efforts to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption and to collect further evidence. The action underscores the bureau’s commitment to tackling corruption within government departments in the region.
The Chenab Times News Desk