Former Patwari, driver charge-sheeted in bribery case

Udhampur, Sept 12: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday produced a charge sheet against a former Patwari and a driver in a bribery case before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Udhampur.

In a statement issued to the news agency, a spokesperson said the charge sheet was produced in case FIR No. 01/2023 registered at Police Station ACB Udhampur under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018), against Darbinder Singh, the then Patwari of Halqa Rasli Gandheran, Basantgarh, Udhampur, and Nashar Ahmad, a resident of Basantgarh.

He said the case was registered on the basis of a written complaint lodged by Bodh Raj, a resident of Rasli Gadheran, Basantgarh, alleging that he had applied for issuance of a fard of his land, which he intended to sell to one Madan Lal. He later approached the then Patwari, who allegedly demanded a bribe for issuing the fard.

The spokesperson said the complaint was verified by an officer of the ACB Udhampur-Reasi Branch, who found it genuine and recommended registration of an FIR.

Accordingly, a trap was laid, during which Darbinder Singh, the then Patwari of Halqa Rasli Gandheran, and Nashar Ahmad, driver of vehicle bearing registration number JK02 BV-9048, were caught red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting the bribe from the complainant.

He said the evidence collected during the investigation established the commission of an offence under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018) against both accused. The charge sheet was accordingly produced before the Anti-Corruption Court, Udhampur, for further judicial proceedings.