ACB traps, arrests patwari in bribery case
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday trapped and arrested a Patwari while demanding and accepting bribe in Kupwara district.
ACB official said that Hashim Amin Malik, posted as Patwari, Halqa Bohipora, Kupwara was arrested for demanding bribe of Rs 30,000 from complainant.
“An information was received by Anti Corruption Bureau through ACB J&K Helpline number 9419678060 from one complainant resident of Kupwara regarding demand of bribe by one Patwari Halqa Bohipora Kupwara,” official said.
“In his complaint the complainant alleged that while he was constructing some shops in his private land the Patwari concerned with other revenue officials came to the site and took away his material, equipment’s etc with them,” odfficial said adding that the complainant further alleged that he accordingly approached tehsildar concerned who directed him to meet NT and patwari.
official further stated that when complainant meet Patwari Hashim Amin Malik he demanded bribe of Rs 50,000 from him and told him that he will be given seized items back and will be allowed to work also if he pays the bribe money.
On this complainant pleaded that he cannot pay huge bribe and it was later on negotiated for Rs 30,000, official said.
As the complainant was not interested in paying bribe under these circumstances, he approached ACB and filed a written complaint against Patwari for demanding bribe and requested for legal action, official said adding that accordingly on receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted by the ACB.
“The verification conducted reveal that the revenue team including Patwari Hashim Amin Malik has taken away the equipments, construction material from the complainant under construction site and Patwari concerned is now demanding bribe from complainant for allowing construction and releasing the material/equipments seized and has directed complainant to come with bribe money on Monday,” official said.
On the basis of the findings and recommendation of the Verifying Officer as Prima facie offences under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 were made out against accused Public servant namely Hashim Amin for demanding bribe from complainant for allowing him to construct shops on his private land and release of his equipment/material seized, official said adding that accordingly a Case FIR No. 11/2023 was registered in Police Station ACB Baramulla under Section 7 of the PC Act 1988 and the investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigations, official said, the accused Patwari was arrested on spot while demanding bribe of Rs 30,000 from complainant and accepting same through his tout and his close accomplice Bashir Ahmad Mir, resident of Mughal Pora (Ex-Lumberdar), who is evading arrest.
Searches are also conducted in the residential house of the accused Patwari, official said adding that further investigations of the case are going on.