In a major crackdown on corruption, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case and arrested a public servant, Sunil Kumar, who was working as a Patwari in Patwar Halqa Dadui, Tehsil Samba. The arrest was made after he was caught red-handed accepting a bribe.

The case, FIR No. 19/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was initiated after a complainant alleged that the accused Patwari demanded illegal gratification.

The Bribe Demand for Girdawari Correction

According to the ACB’s official statement, the complainant had applied for a correction in the Girdawari (revenue record). The Tehsildar of Samba had sought a report from the Patwari on the application. Exploiting his official position, Patwari Sunil Kumar allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1,00,000 to prepare the necessary report.

After negotiation, the accused agreed to reduce the bribe amount to ₹80,000. Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau with only a partial amount of ₹20,000, seeking legal action.

ACB’s Discreet Verification and Trap

Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB Jammu unit conducted a discreet verification. The investigation confirmed the bribe demand by the public servant. Following this, the formal FIR was registered, and a specialized trap team was constituted to apprehend the accused.

The ACB trap team laid a meticulous plan. The team successfully caught Patwari Sunil Kumar red-handed while he was demanding and accepting the bribe money from the complainant. The entire operation was conducted in the presence of independent witnesses to ensure legal integrity. The accused was immediately arrested on the spot, and the marked bribe cash was recovered from his possession.

Major Cash Haul Uncovered During Investigation

In a significant development, a search of the accused public servant’s personal vehicle led to the stunning recovery of a huge amount of unexplained cash. The ACB officials seized over ₹35 lakhs from the vehicle.

Furthermore, a comprehensive search was conducted at the residential house of the accused in the presence of a Magistrate, as part of the ongoing investigation to uncover any disproportionate assets.

The Jammu and Kashmir ACB has stated that further investigation into the case is ongoing. This successful trap underscores the bureau’s commitment to its anti-corruption drive and upholding integrity in public service in the Samba district and across the Union Territory.