Srinagar, Dec 20 (KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau today trapped and arrested a Patwari for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000 for providing a favourable report in a land-related matter in Shopian district.

ACB in a statement issued to news agency kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) said that the action was taken followed a written complaint alleging that Ashiq Hussain Shah, Patwari, Patwar Halqa Pinjura Pehlipura, Shopian, sought illegal gratification for processing an application related to the equal distribution of ancestral property among siblings.

After discreet verification confirmed the demand, he said, the ACB registered FIR No. 05/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at Police Station ACB Anantnag and initiated investigation.

Quoting the complaint, he said, the application had been submitted at the Tehsil Office Shopian about three months ago and was forwarded by the Tehsildar to the concerned Patwari for necessary action.

When the complainant approached Patwari, he allegedly demanded Rs 25,000 as bribe, he said. Acting on the complaint, an ACB trap team caught Patwari red-handed while accepting the bribe, which was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses, the ACB official added.

He was arrested on the spot, and a search of his residential house was also conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrates and witnesses, he said.

Meanwhile, further investigation in the case is in progress.(KINS)