19-08-2023 : The Special Anti-Corruption Court of Jammu delivered a verdict on Saturday, convicting the former Girdawar of Patwar Halqa Laxmipuram, Chinore, Bantalab, Jammu. The conviction stems from the accused’s involvement in demanding and subsequently accepting a bribe amounting to ₹10,000. The case, originating from FIR number 10/2016 P/S VOJ (now ACB, Jammu), pertains to violations under section 4-A r/w 5 (2) of P.C Act 2006.
Under the purview of this case, the Court of the Learned Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu found Mohd Ashraf, son of Mushtaq Ahmed from Billawar Kathua, who was formerly posted as Girdawar Patwar Halqa Laxmipuram Chinore Bantalab, guilty of these charges. The accused was subjected to a sentence involving one year of simple imprisonment for each offence, along with a fine of Rs 10,000, as stated by an official spokesman. In the event of defaulting on the fine payment, the convicted individual will undergo an additional three months of imprisonment.
The prosecution of this case was overseen by Addl. P.P, Ld. Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Irshad Ahmed, as elucidated in the official statement. The conviction’s foundation lies in a case that traces back to FIR number 10/2016 P/S VOJ, initially registered in Police Station VOJ on 20th April 2016. This case was prompted by a complaint lodged by the victim, detailing that his mother had procured 07 marals of land situated under khasra number 63 min, Khata No. 18 at Khewat number 2, located at Chak Changerwan (Ward No. 64) in Jammu. The complainant’s request for mutation attestation was forwarded to Patwari Halqa Chack Changerwan.
The case took a perplexing turn when, due to the transfer of the original Patwari, the convicted Girdawar took on the additional responsibility of Patwar Halqa Chack Changerwan. The complainant’s multiple appeals to the concerned Girdawar were met with no provision of the mutation copy. Instead, it was alleged that the convicted individual demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 for the same. Subsequently, the complainant raised the issue, leading to the registration of the case with VOJ Police Station.
The course of investigation resulted in a well-executed trap, capturing the accused red-handed while soliciting and receiving the bribe money from the complainant. This case marks the second consecutive conviction of a revenue official by the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu.