Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet against a former Patwari and an ex-Lumberdar in an alleged bribery case before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla.
According to the ACB, the chargesheet has been filed against Fida Hussain Shah, then Patwari of Halqa Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla, and Manzoor Ahmad Mir, ex-Lumberdar of Gutiyar, Baramulla, in connection with FIR No. 04/2024 registered at Police Station ACB Baramulla.
The case was registered on April 16, 2024, following a complaint alleging that illegal gratification was demanded for handing over revenue reports and a no-objection certificate (NOC) required for processing building permission applications submitted by the complainant and his father.
The ACB said the investigation involved collection of oral, documentary, electronic and scientific evidence, including recovery of the tainted money and forensic examination of relevant exhibits. It said the evidence collected, including witness statements, documentary records and digital evidence, prima facie indicated the involvement of the accused in the alleged demand and acceptance of illegal gratification.
The bureau said the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had accorded prosecution sanction against the then Patwari, following which the chargesheet was filed for offences punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant provisions of law.
Both accused were produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, along with the chargesheet. The court has fixed November 12, 2026, as the next date of hearing in the case.
