Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: Two Patwaris were today caught red handed by the Vigilance Organization while demanding and accepting bribe from the complainant for settling a case of tree felling in Chatroo area of Kishtwar.
The accused Revenue official, officials, namely Toufeeq Ahmed (Patwari Halqa Chatroo) and Muzaffer Ahmed (Patwari posted in the office of Tehsildar Chatroo). have been arrested and booked under case FIR No.42/2017 under section 5(1) (d) r/w section 5(2) of J&K PC Act and section 4-A PC Act (Amendment-2014) and section 120-B RPC at P/S VOJ.
The action was taken on the basis of a complaint, lodged by Nisar Ahmed of Batpura Chatroo, Kishtwar, who had purchased a tree from one Suraj Bandhari in lieu of six months rent of a shop, which comes to Rs 1800.
However, when the complainant cut the tree, Ghulam Qadir Girdawar, Toufeeq Ahmed Patwari and Chowkidar Ghulam came on the spot and after measurement seized the fallen tree. On this, the complainant approached the Sarpanch Roshan Lal and requested for assistance, who after talking to Tehsildar Chatroo stated that the said Tehsildar was demanding Rs 50000 for the said purpose and finally the matter was settled for Rs 10, 000.
The complainant brought the matter into the notice of Vigilance, which laid a successful trap in which accused Toufeeq Ahmed (Patwari Halqa Chatroo) and Muzaffer Ahmed (Patwari posted in Tehsildar officer Chatroo) were caught red handed while demanding and accepting Rs 5000/- as illegal gratification from the complainant. The trap was laid under the command of Kartar Singh Kotwal, DySP.
After completing all necessary formalities the accused Patwaris were arrested for further legal action. Investigation of the case is going on.
Other members of the trap team were Zafar Amin and Masoof Mirza, both Inspectors Vigilance Organization, Udhampur wing.
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