JAMMU, Feb 02 (KNS) ; The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu on Monday registered an FIR against a Patwari from Udhampur for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 17,000. The accused, however, managed to flee the spot after the transaction.
In a statement issued to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) ACB said that a complaint was filed by a citizen who alleged that despite completing all necessary formalities for the construction of his house, Mohd Hanif, the Patwari of Halqa Tikri in Udhampur, demanded an illegal gratification.
The complainant stated that the accused initially demanded Rs 30,000 but later settled for Rs 17,000, threatening to halt the construction work if the amount was not paid.
Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the bribe demand. Subsequently, a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A trap team was constituted, and the accused was caught red-handed accepting the bribe of Rs 17,000 in the presence of witnesses. The bribe money was recovered from his office, but the accused managed to flee the scene.
A search operation is underway to apprehend the accused, and further investigation is ongoing the statement further reads. (KNS)
