The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested a Patwari and his associate after allegedly catching them red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 70,000 from a complainant in Jammu district.

According to the ACB, the accused have been identified as Shashi Kumar, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Gole, and his assistant, Harkeerat Singh. The action followed a written complaint alleging that the duo had demanded Rs 70,000 as illegal gratification for issuing two revenue extracts (Fards).

The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB seeking legal action. After conducting a discreet verification, the bureau found the allegations to be prima facie genuine and registered FIR No. 08/2026 at Police Station ACB Central, Jammu, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During the investigation, the ACB constituted a trap team, which successfully caught both accused while allegedly demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The accused were arrested on the spot, and the tainted money was recovered from their possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings.

The ACB also conducted searches at the residential premises of both accused in the presence of Executive Magistrates as part of the investigation.

Further investigation into the case is underway.