Revenue official held for graft in Samba; Rs 35 lakh seized

The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a revenue official for graft and seized Rs 35 lakh in cash from his private vehicle in Samba district, an official said on Tuesday.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint against Sunil Kumar, posted as Patwari in Dadui Block, alleging that he had demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for making corrections in a Girdawari or revenue record, he said. After negotiations, Kumar agreed to settle for Rs 80,000.

“A discreet verification was conducted, which corroborated the demand for a bribe by the patwari and accordingly, a case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered and investigation taken up,” the official said.

A trap team was laid, and the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. The accused was arrested on the spot by the Anti-Corruption Bureau team.

The bribe money was seized from his possession, and a search of his personal vehicle led to the seizure of more than Rs 35 lakh in cash, the official said.