SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet against a former Patwari and an ex-Lumberdar in connection with an alleged bribery case linked to the processing of revenue documents required for a building permission application.
The chargesheet was presented before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, against Fida Hussain Shah, the then Patwari of Halqa Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla, and Manzoor Ahmad Mir, former Lumberdar of Gutiyar, Baramulla, in FIR No. 04/2024 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla.
According to the ACB, the case was registered on April 16, 2024, following a complaint alleging that illegal gratification was demanded for furnishing revenue and no-objection certificate (NOC) reports needed to process building permission applications submitted by the complainant and his father.
The bureau said its investigation gathered oral, documentary, electronic and scientific evidence, including the recovery of the tainted money and forensic examination of relevant exhibits. It added that witness statements, official records, digital evidence and other corroborative material prima facie established the alleged involvement of both accused in the demand and acceptance of the bribe.
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, as the competent authority, granted sanction to prosecute the then Patwari, following which the ACB filed the chargesheet.
The accused have been booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and other applicable legal provisions.
Both accused were produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, along with the final report. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on November 12, 2026.
