Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar June 13: The sleuths of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today caught a Patwari red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe at Khansahib area of Budgam district.
An official said that Abdul Rashid Mir, posted as Patwari Halqa, Arigam was caught red-handed by the sleuths of ACB in a trap while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1500 from a complainant.
He said the amount was recovered from the accused Patwari on the spot in presence of the independent witnesses.
The official said the accused Patwari was arrested while the case has been registered in this regard.
The ACB in a statement said that they received a written complaint wherein it was alleged that Mir, was demanding Rs 3000 as bribe for a report regarding damage caused by Fire to the House of the complainant.
“The complainant who is living below poverty line suffered heavy loss due to fire incident, tried to negotiate with the public servant who agreed to accept the amount in two instalments. The first instalment of Rs 1500 was to be paid today. However, before paying the bribe amount to the accused person, the complainant approached Anti Corruption Bureau with a written complaint for taking legal action against the accused public servant under relevant provisions of law,” the statement said.
It added that on receipt of the instant complaint, a case under FIR number 10/2023 under section 7 PC Act 1988 was registered in police Station ACB Srinagar and investigation taken up.
“During the course of investigation a trap team was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused public servant Ab. Rashid Mir, Patwari Halqa Arigam red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 1500 from the complainant as first instalment of the total agreed amount of Rs 3000 in the office of SDM Khan Sahab Budgam. He was arrested on the spot after completing all formalities,” the statement said, adding that further investigation into the case is going on.