SHOPIAN: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday trapped and arrested Ashiq Hussain Shah, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Pinjura Pehlipora, Shopian, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹25,000.
According to an official statement, the ACB received a written complaint alleging that the complainant had submitted an application at the Tehsil Office, Shopian, seeking equal distribution of ancestral property between his wife and sister-in-law along with their siblings. The application, submitted around three months ago, was forwarded by the Tehsildar concerned to the Patwari for necessary action.
The complainant alleged that when he approached the Patwari, Ashiq Hussain Shah demanded a bribe of ₹25,000 for furnishing a favourable report. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau for legal action.
Following receipt of the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the demand of bribe by the Patwari. Subsequently, FIR No. 05/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag, and an investigation was initiated.
During the investigation, a trap team was constituted, which laid a successful trap and caught the accused Patwari red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount. He was arrested on the spot, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
Thereafter, a search of the residential premises of the accused was carried out in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.
Further investigation in the case is underway, the ACB said.
