SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a land broker allegedly working as a tout for a Patwari after he was caught accepting Rs 11,000 in bribe for issuance of revenue extracts in Batmaloo area of Srinagar.
According to the ACB, it received a complaint alleging that Saleem Altaf, Patwari of Halqa Batmaloo, through his associate Ab Hamid Khan, had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuing revenue extracts pertaining to his house.
The complainant had applied online for the extracts on behalf of his father for the attestation of mutation, the ACB said.
The initial demand was Rs 20,000, which was later settled at Rs 16,000, according to the complaint. The complainant alleged that he had already paid Rs 5,000 as the first instalment on behalf of the Patwari, while Khan demanded another Rs 11,000 for issuance of the revenue extracts.
Following verification of the allegations, the ACB registered FIR No. 13/2026 under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station ACB Srinagar.
A trap team was subsequently constituted. During the trap operation, Khan was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 11,000 on behalf of the Patwari, the ACB said.
Khan was taken into custody and a personal search led to the recovery of the trap amount of Rs 11,000, besides Rs 25,125 in cash, payment slips, the revenue extract in question and a sale deed pertaining to Mohammad Sidiq Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh.
The recovered items have been seized in accordance with procedure and are being examined as part of the investigation, the ACB said.
The bureau is also ascertaining the alleged involvement of Patwari Saleem Altaf in the demand and acceptance of the bribe through Khan.
Further investigation in the case is underway.
