J&K ACB arrests Girdawar for accepting bribe of ₹5000 in Baramulla

JAMMU, 27 July 2023: J&K Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a complaint from a resident of Magam alleging therein that Showkat Ali, Patwari Halqa Waripora, Tehsil Kawarhama from Baramulla district is demanding a bribe of ₹ 9000 from the complainant for issuance and processing of revenue extract for which he has already applied online.

The complainant alleged that he is a resident of Tehsil Karhama. He and his brother had purchased a piece of land measuring 10 marlas under survey number 786 situated at Pinjoora from a person. The owner of the land has executed an Agreement with complainant and the land is under the possession of the complainant.

The complainant further stated that he approached Patwari Halqa Waripora Tehsil Karhama namely Showkat Ali for issuance of revenue extract (Intikhab).

Patwari Showkat Ali demanded ₹10,000 for the Issuance of the required documents. The complainant requested the Patwari that he is a poor man and cannot pay this amount but the said Patwari told him to pay ₹9000 otherwise the work will not be done. He further alleged that Patwari told the complainant to bring ₹5000 as the first instalment on 26 July 2023.

Under these circumstances, the complainant approached ACB with his complaint stating that he don’t want to pay a bribe and requested legal action against the Patwari concerned.

As the contents of the complaint prima facie disclosed the commission of an offence punishable U/S 7 of the PC Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) by the accused public servant namely Showkat Ali, Patwari Halqa Waripora, Tehsil Kawarhama, District Baramulla accordingly a Case FIR No. 07/2023 was registered at Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau, Baramulla U/S 7 of the P.C Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) against a public servant and the investigation of the case was started.

During the course of the investigation trap team was constituted which laid a successful trap and caught the accused Showkat Ali red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹5,000 from the complainant. He was arrested on the spot after completing all legal formalities.

During preliminary investigation, it was found that the accused public servant Showkat Ali was posted as GQ at Tehsil office  Kawarhama but was also given charge of Patwar Halqa Waripora.

Further investigation is going on.