Srinagar, Sep 7, KNT: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has caught a man red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting ₹11,000 in illegal gratification on behalf of Patwari Halqa Batamaloo, Srinagar, in connection with issuance of revenue extracts.
The ACB said it had received a written complaint alleging that Saleem Altaf, Patwari, Halqa Batamaloo, through his alleged associate Ab. Hamid Khan, a land broker/tout, had demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuance of revenue extracts pertaining to his house.
According to the complaint, the complainant had applied online for the revenue extracts on behalf of his father for the purpose of attestation of mutation. It was alleged that the Patwari, through Ab. Hamid Khan, initially demanded ₹20,000, which was subsequently settled at ₹16,000.
The complainant further alleged that ₹5,000 had already been paid as the first instalment on behalf of the accused Patwari, while a second instalment of ₹11,000 was demanded on the same day for issuance of the revenue extracts.
Following receipt of the complaint, the allegations were verified and the ACB registered FIR No. 13/2026 under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS at Police Station ACB Srinagar. Investigation was taken up accordingly.
During the investigation, the ACB Srinagar constituted a trap team. During the trap proceedings, Ab. Hamid Khan was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹11,000 as illegal gratification on behalf of Patwari Saleem Altaf.
The accused alleged tout was taken into custody.
During his personal search, the ACB said it recovered, besides the trap amount of ₹11,000, cash amounting to ₹25,125, payment slips, the revenue extract in question and a sale deed pertaining to Mohammad Sidiq Sheikh, son of Gh. Mohammad Sheikh.
The recovered articles have been taken into possession as per procedure and are being examined as part of the investigation.
The ACB said the involvement of Patwari Saleem Altaf in the alleged demand and acceptance of illegal gratification through Ab. Hamid Khan is being ascertained.
Investigation into the case is ongoing. [KNT]
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