The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said it had trapped and arrested a Patwari from Patwar Halqa Dansal, Jammu, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹20,000.
In a statement issued to the Kashmir News Observer (KNO), an ACB spokesperson said a complaint was received alleging that Chuni Lal, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Dansal, demanded illegal gratification from the complainant for issuing a demarcation report.
“The accused, Chuni Lal, initially demanded ₹1,00,000 for providing the demarcation report. After negotiations, he agreed to accept ₹75,000 and asked for ₹25,000 as the first installment. However, the complainant managed to arrange only ₹20,000,” the statement read.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and sought legal action against the accused.
Following this, a discreet verification was conducted, which confirmed the bribe demand. Subsequently, a case (FIR No. 15/2025) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at ACB Police Station Jammu, and an investigation was launched.
“During the investigation, a trap team led by a gazetted officer was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting ₹20,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses,” the spokesperson added.
The accused was arrested on the spot, and the bribe amount was recovered from his possession. Searches were also carried out at the accused’s office and his in-laws’ residence in the presence of independent witnesses and Magistrates.
Further investigation into the case is underway, the ACB said.
