J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau Nabs Revenue Official Red-Handed with ₹80,000 Bribe, Recovers ₹35 Lakh

Jammu, Nov 4: In a major anti-corruption operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a revenue official from Samba district and recovered over ₹35 lakh in cash from his possession. The official, identified as Sunil Kumar, serving as Patwari in Dadui Block, was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹80,000 from a complainant for making corrections in a revenue record (Girdawari).

According to officials, the ACB had received a credible complaint alleging that the Patwari had initially demanded ₹1 lakh to alter official entries. After negotiations, he agreed to settle the bribe at ₹80,000. The complaint was discreetly verified by the Bureau, confirming the allegations. Following this, a formal case was registered under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and a team was constituted to lay a trap.

During the trap operation, ACB sleuths apprehended the accused red-handed while receiving the bribe in the presence of independent witnesses. He was immediately taken into custody, and the tainted money was recovered from his possession. In a subsequent search of his personal vehicle, investigators found an additional ₹35 lakh in unaccounted cash, raising serious questions about the extent of his illegal activities.

Officials described the operation as part of the Bureau’s intensified crackdown against corruption in government departments. “The arrest demonstrates the Bureau’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and its determination to ensure clean and transparent governance in the Union Territory,” said an ACB spokesperson.

The ACB has also launched a detailed investigation into the source of the recovered money, examining whether the accused was involved in a broader network of graft linked to revenue transactions. His office and other premises are expected to be searched to trace further evidence of wrongdoing.

Senior officials from the Bureau said that the drive against corruption, particularly in revenue and land-related departments, will continue with greater rigour. They also encouraged citizens to report instances of bribery and malpractice, assuring anonymity and swift action in every genuine case.

The incident has once again highlighted the persistent challenge of corruption in revenue administration. Experts have often cited that such practices not only erode public faith in governance but also slow down administrative processes critical to land and property reforms. The ACB’s prompt action, however, has been widely appreciated by the public, especially local residents of Samba, who hailed the Bureau for acting decisively against an official misusing his authority.

Officials have confirmed that the accused is being interrogated, and further raids may be conducted to unearth additional assets or cash linked to him. The ACB reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and urged people to come forward fearlessly in reporting corruption-related cases.