Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Patwari red-handed in Kathua District for demanding and accepting a bribe amount of Rs 15000.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
An ACB official said Sudershan Khajuria, Patwari, Khanpur Halqa in Tehsil Marheen, District Kathua, allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 from a local complainant in exchange for correcting entries in the revenue records.
After initial negotiations, he said, the bribe amount was settled at Rs 15,000, and the complainant, under pressure, paid Rs 5,000.
However, unwilling to pay further, the complainant reported the incident to the ACB, leading to a discreet verification and investigation, the ACB official said.
Followed by this, he said, a trap team was formed, and the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount of Rs 15,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.
Meanwhile, searches were also carried out at the residence and office of the revenue official with the involvement of independent witnesses and a magistrate.
A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the Patwari, and further investigation is underway, said the ACB official.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
