Srinagar, July 21:The Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) today trapped and arrested Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Banimulla, Kulgam, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹23,000 in exchange for issuing a favourable report for walnut tree cutting permission.
According to the ACB, the complainant had applied for permission to cut walnut trees on his land at the Tehsil Office Pahloo, Kulgam. The application was forwarded to the concerned Patwari for necessary reporting. However, when the complainant approached Patwari Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana, he demanded ₹23,000 as a bribe to provide the required report.
Refusing to give in to corruption, the complainant approached the ACB for legal action. Following a discreet verification confirming the demand, the ACB registered FIR No. 02/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Police Station ACB Anantnag.
A trap team was constituted, which successfully caught Patwari Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe. He was immediately arrested, and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
Subsequently, searches were conducted at the residence of the accused Patwari in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
