Srinagar, September 7: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a land broker after allegedly catching him red-handed while receiving ₹11,000 in illegal gratification on behalf of a Patwari in connection with the issuance of revenue documents in Batmaloo area of Srinagar.
According to an ACB statement, the action followed a complaint alleging that Saleem Altaf, Patwari of Halqa Batmaloo, had allegedly sought a bribe through his associate Abdul Hamid Khan, described as a land broker/tout, for providing revenue extracts related to the complainant’s residential property.
The complainant had reportedly submitted an online application for obtaining the revenue extracts on behalf of his father for the purpose of mutation attestation.
The ACB said that an initial demand of ₹20,000 was allegedly made through the intermediary, which was later negotiated and settled at ₹16,000.
As per the complaint, the broker had already collected ₹5,000 as the first instalment, allegedly on behalf of the Patwari. A further payment of ₹11,000 was subsequently demanded for issuance of the required revenue extracts.
After receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a verification of the allegations. Following verification, FIR No. 13/2026 was registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
An investigation was subsequently launched and a dedicated trap team was constituted by ACB Srinagar.
During the trap operation, Abdul Hamid Khan was allegedly intercepted while demanding and accepting ₹11,000 as illegal gratification purportedly on behalf of Patwari Saleem Altaf.
The accused broker was immediately taken into custody by the ACB team.
During his personal search, officials recovered the trap money of ₹11,000, along with ₹25,125 in additional cash, payment slips, the revenue extract involved in the complaint and a sale deed reportedly pertaining to Mohammad Sidiq Sheikh, son of Gh. Mohammad Sheikh.
The recovered material and documents were seized in accordance with the prescribed procedure and have been taken on record as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the ACB is examining the alleged role of Patwari Saleem Altaf and is verifying whether the bribe demand and subsequent transaction were carried out on his behalf through the arrested broker.
Further investigation into the case is in progress. (KNC)