The Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped and arrested two government officials, including a Ziladar and a Patwari, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of 1 lakh in Anantnag district.
According to an ACB statement, the bureau received a written complaint alleging that Ziladar Nazir Ahmad Wani, son of Mohammad Akbar Wani, a resident of Utrasoo, Nai Gund Anantnag, and Patwari Bilal Ahmad Wagay, son of Abdul Rehman Wagay, a resident of Sherpora Anantnag, both posted in the Irrigation Division Anantnag, had demanded a bribe from the complainant for disposing of an application filed against him regarding the alleged encroachment of government land at Ashajipora near Dabruna, Anantnag.
The complainant alleged that the accused officials offered to settle or reject the complaint at their level in exchange for a bribe equivalent to the value of one marla of land at the location, estimated at around ₹4 lakh. However, after repeated requests by the complainant, the amount was allegedly settled at ₹1 lakh.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti Corruption Bureau seeking legal action against the accused officials.
Following the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, during which it was found that the land in question was not state land but proprietary land belonging to the complainant. The verification also confirmed the demand for a bribe by the accused public servants. Subsequently, FIR No. 05/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, read with the Amendment Act of 2018, was registered at Police Station ACB Anantnag and investigation was initiated.
During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted, which successfully caught the accused officials red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount. Both officials were arrested on the spot and the bribe money was recovered from their possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.
The ACB further stated that searches were later conducted at the residential houses of the accused officials in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.
Further investigation into the case is underway.(KINS)
