Srinagar, Sep 15 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has caught Naib Tehsildar, Uri red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant.
A statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads that Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint against Naib Tehsildar Uri Altaf Hussain Khan alleging therein that said officer is demanding bribe of Rs 10 lacs from complainant for preparing land documents and for submitting report to Tehsildar Uri on application moved by the complainant before Tehsildar Uri few days back.
It was alleged by complainant that he had purchased a piece of land measuring 10 marlas falling under survey 307 at Rajarwani, Uri from one Mohd Sadeeq R/o Bandi Brahmana Uri and also constructed a house on it ,the plot was purchased for an amount of Rs 5 lacs but seller fail to provide him revenue documents of said land in time as per sale agreement entered between parties due to which complainant couldn’t get mutation of said land done in his favor therefore he approached Tehsildar Uri with application, the statement reads.
It said that the Tehsildar Uri directed Patwari to visit spot and submit the report in matter, when complainant approached Patwari Pardeep Kumar he took complainant to Naib Tehsildar Uri namely, Altaf Hussain Khan where Naib Tehsildar demanded bribe of Rs 10 lac from complainant in presence of Patwari which was later on negotiated by Sarpanch of the area and finally, it was decided that complainant will pay first installment of fifty thousand to Naib Tehsildar Uri before report is submitted.
"As complainant was not in favour of paying bribe, he approached ACB with written complaint requesting therein legal action against Naib Tehsidlar Uri Altaf Hussain Khan for demanding bribe from him. On receipt of the complaint ,the allegations were verified discreetly by the Anti Corruption Bureau PS ACB Baramulla, the probe conducted reveal that NT Uri Altaf Hussain was demanding bribe from complainant ,which confirms the demand of bribe by the accused Naib Tehsildar Altaf Hussain Khan as well as abetment by Patwari Pardeep Kumar who took complainant to NT without preparing any report & ask complainant to do what Naib Tehsildar is asking for before report /documents are prepared," the statement reads.
Accordingly on the basis of findings and recommendations of the enquiry officer, a case under FIR number 12/2024 under section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (r/w its amendment act 2018) is registered on 14-09-2024 in P/S ACB Baramulla against Altaf Hussain Khan, Naib Tehsildar Uri District Baramulla for demanding bribe & under section 12 of PC Act 1988 against Pardeep Kumar, Patwari for abetment and investigation was set into motion.
"During investigation, a trap team headed by Dy.SP rank officer was constituted at PS ACB Baramulla. The team laid a successful trap and accused Naib Tehsildar was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 50,000 from complainant. Accordingly, after completing all legal formalities the accused Naib Tehsildar namely, Altaf Hussain Khan was arrested on the spot. The bribe money of Rs 50,000 was also recovered in the presence of independent witnesses," the statement reads.
It was also found that said Naib Tehsildar was recently booked by ACB Baramulla in case FIR No 08/2024 of PS ACB Baramulla with other officials of revenue department for abuse of official position & insertions in revenue record etc which is also under investigation, it said, adding that the accused was presented before court of spl judge anti corruption court Baramulla and was remanded for ten days police custody.
"Further investigation of the instant case is going on. The role of patwari & sarpanch are being looked into," the statement reads—(KNO)