SRINAGAR: Anti-Corruption Bureau officials on Saturday arrested a Patwari in the Sofanaman area of Shopian in south Kashmir after he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe from a client.
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The accused has been identified as Ashiq Hussain Shah, an inhabitant of Turkawangam, Shopian.
Reliable sources said that the said Patwari had been under surveillance by ACB for several months as complaints against him had become frequent. Shortly after his arrest, ACB sleuths conducted searches at his personal residence in Turkawangam and at another house he had rented in Pulwama town. Insiders said the accused had taken the Pulwama accommodation specifically to meet clients and collect bribes away from scrutiny, even though he was posted as Patwari in Shopian.
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According to sources, Shah is allegedly involved in multiple serious acts of corruption. It has been claimed that after the death of his uncle Muhammad Yousuf Shah, he grabbed the property meant for the latter’s daughter. He is also accused of working in collusion with certain land brokers and revenue officials to facilitate the sale of state land in the SIDCO Lassipora area. Officials believe proceeds from these transactions were used to establish a fuel station at Turkawangam in the name of a female relative.
Sources further alleged that Shah played a key role in a significant land scam involving about 15 kanals under survey numbers 852 Min and 867 Min in Lassipora’s Industrial Growth Centre, allegedly processed and sold between 2017 and 2024. He is also accused of distributing his late uncle’s property in his own name and in the names of his brothers.
Officials confirmed that the accused had faced longstanding allegations of corruption in the Keegam Block where he had earlier served as Patwari. Locals have urged the ACB to widen the investigation so that all aspects of his alleged illegal dealings are fully examined. Shah has also been accused of unruly conduct during his tenure as president of the Patwar Association Shopian.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has begun a detailed investigation into every angle of his financial and administrative activities. [KNT]