SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against a patwari for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income in the Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The action follows a verification conducted by the ACB based on a complaint against Ayoub Khan, a resident of Doniwari Lolab and serving patwari in the Revenue Department.
“The complaint alleged that the patwari was leading a lavish lifestyle and owned multiple orchards, agricultural land, and residential properties in Bemina (Srinagar) and Doniwari (Lolab), as well as several vehicles. He had also spent large sums on the professional education of his children, including admission-related donations,” ACB said in statement.
Discreet verification revealed that during the check period, the patwari had incurred significant expenditures and accumulated assets that were prima facie disproportionate to his known sources of income.
“Details unearthed during the verification included purchase of land at Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina, and construction of a double-storey house there; construction of another house at Doniwari Lolab; purchase of a Hyundai Venue car and a two-wheeler; considerable expenses on bank loan repayments; and payments for his children’s education, including MBBS admission abroad and nursing admission in Amritsar,” it reads.
The verification further revealed that, upon learning about the complaint, the patwari began securing multiple bank loans—reportedly up to Rs 75 lakh—in an apparent attempt to conceal illegal income and mislead investigators.
“The acts of omission and commission by the accused patwari constitute a cognisable offence of criminal misconduct punishable under Section 5(1)(e) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006,” the statement said.
Accordingly, FIR No. 03/2025 was registered on June 16, 2025, against the accused under the relevant provisions of the Act.
Following the registration of the case, the ACB obtained search warrants from the Anti-Corruption Court Baramulla and conducted searches at multiple premises linked to the accused.
“During the searches, incriminating material including receipts for gold purchases, iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, and other items relevant to the investigation were recovered and seized in the presence of magistrates and witnesses as per the law,” the statement added.
Further investigation is underway. (KNO)
