Srinagar, Apr 16 (KNO): The Anti Corruption Bureau trapped and arrested a Lumberdar for demanding and accepting Rs 4,000 bribe for handing over two NOCs of building permissions.
According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a complainant alleged that he along with his father applied for building permission at Municipal Council Baramulla with two separate applications which were forwarded by MC Baramulla to different departments for issuance of NOCs and report.
The statement reads that the complainant further alleged that when he went to Patwari of village Kunthbagh for NOC and revenue report, he kept delaying and finally he got a phone call from Manzoor Ahmad, Lambardar who told him that both NOCs and Patwari reports of are with him and he asked the complainant to pay him Rs 5000 which he finally agreed for Rs 4000.
“He asked him to take the report from him as Patwari halqa has kept the NOC and revenue reports with him. Under these circumstances the complainant approached ACB with his complaint against the officials and requested for legal action against them,” it reads.
It added that as the contents of complaint prima facie disclose the commission of offence punishable under section 7 of the P.C Act 1988 (r/w its amendment Act 2018) and Section 120-B IPC by accused namely Manzoor Ahmad and Patwari Halqa Khawaja Bagh Baramulla, a Case FIR No. 04/2024 under section 7 of the P.C Act 1988 (r/w its amendment Act 2018) and 120-B IPC was registered at Police Station, ACB Baramulla and investigations was taken up.
“During the course of investigations, a trap team was constituted which caught accused Lambardar red handed inside the Tehsil office Baramulla premises while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 4000 from complainant. The revenue NOCs of the complainant and his father prepared by the Patwari concerned and issued by tehsil office were also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses along with bribe money.”
It added that the accused Manzoor Ahmad was immediately taken into custody after completing all legal formalities.
“Searches were also conducted at the residence of the accused person. The role of Patwari concerned and other public servants of tehsil office Baramulla is also being investigated who were using accused Lambardar as tout to receive bribe from general public. Further investigations in the case are going on,” it reads—(KNO)