Crackdown on bribery across J&K Deptts
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ACB’s 2026 operations recover lakhs in illegal gratification, register multiple FIRs
Over 30 officials arrested from Jan to Apr for abuse of office
JAMMU, APR 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched a strong crackdown on corruption across multiple departments from January to April 2026.
In a series of operations, public servants were arrested, FIRs were registered, and illegal bribes were recovered, demonstrating the Bureau’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
From January to April 2026, the ACB has registered over 30 FIRs, recovered bribes ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹75,000, and arrested officials across departments including Revenue, PWD, Police, RDD, Electricity, Social Welfare, and Forest.
These operations reflect the Bureau’s relentless pursuit of integrity in public service and its determination to eliminate corrupt practices in Jammu and Kashmir.
The year began on January 3, 2026, in Srinagar with the arrest of Laiq Ahmad Nath, a clerk at the Tehsil Office Central, Shalteng. He was caught demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹2,000 from a complainant. The Bureau verified the complaint and conducted a trap operation that caught the clerk red-handed. FIR Number 01/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988, was registered, and investigations continue.
On January 6 in Udhampur, Patwari Pardhan Singh of Laddha Tehsil Moungri, along with the concerned Girdawar, was apprehended for accepting ₹5,000 in exchange for issuing property records. The complaint was verified by the ACB, and a trap operation confirmed the bribe demand. FIR Number 01/2026 under Section 7 PC Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) BNS 2023 was registered, and searches were conducted at the accused’s residences.
In Budgam on January 10, Patwari Riyaz Ahmad Khan of Halqa Rakh Soothu was arrested for demanding ₹10,000 to prepare revenue extracts and bank lien certificates. The ACB verified the complaint and carried out a trap operation, leading to FIR Number 02/2026 under Section 7 PC Act, 1988.
On January 20, four officials were arrested in three separate cases in Udhampur and Rajouri. In Udhampur, Jr. Assistant Anil Jamwal and PWD Computer Operator Jeet Kumar were caught demanding ₹12,000 for issuing contractor cards.
In Rajouri, ASI Zamurat Manhas demanded ₹5,000 in a personal dispute, and Patwari Mohd. Razaq of Sokar/Prori, Koteranka, demanded ₹10,000 for property records. All were caught red-handed, FIRs were registered, and searches were conducted at their residences.
On January 29 in Jammu, a case was registered against former SICOP Managing Director R.K. Razdan and Deputy GM Kunal Choudhary for illegal appointments, regularizations, and promotions without proper procedure. FIR Number 01/2026 under J&K PC Act and Sections 120-B RPC was registered.
In February, the Bureau intensified operations. On February 1 in Reasi, JE Rahul Gandotra, posted as TA in BDO Office Gulabgarh Mahore, was arrested for demanding ₹8,000 bribe to process RDD bills.
On February 2, Udhampur Patwari Mohd. Hanif was trapped demanding ₹17,000 for permitting construction work; he fled after taking the bribe, and further searches are underway.
On February 6, ASI Mohinder Lal of PS Khour in Jammu was arrested for demanding ₹5,000 in a personal dispute.
On February 7 in Srinagar, Tehsildar Maeen Azhar Kakroo was booked for abuse of office while facilitating illegal land restoration. FIR Number 03/2026 was registered, and incriminating evidence was recovered during searches.
On February 13, ASI Mukhtar Ahmad Khan of PS Bemina was caught demanding ₹8,000. On February 18, Girdawar Mohd. Saleem Bandey of Halqa Judda, Tehsil Arnas, was caught red-handed demanding ₹10,000 for land demarcation.
On February 25, ACB registered a disproportionate assets case against Inspector Vijay Singh Choudhary, posted in Ladakh, revealing assets far beyond his lawful income. FIR Number 02/2026 under Sections 13(1)(b) & 13(2) PC Act, 1988, was registered, and searches recovered incriminating documents.
In March, the operations continued across multiple departments.
On March 9, Head Constable Parvaiz Ahmed Bhati of Police Post Talwara, Reasi, was arrested for demanding ₹5,000 to manipulate case investigations.
On March 10, Patwari Saffdar Hussain Mir of Halqa Batmaloo, Srinagar, was apprehended for demanding ₹10,000 for revenue extracts.
On March 12, Technical Assistant Sajad Ahmad Raina of RDD Budgam was caught demanding ₹40,000 for MGNREGA work bills, with cash and cheques recovered.
On March 17, Meter Reader Arif Iqbal of PDD Rajouri was caught demanding ₹30,000 to adjust electricity bills.
On March 24, FIR Number 06/2026 was registered against TSO Pranav Gandotra and others for misappropriation of excess ration and transportation charges in Reasi.
On March 25, Naib Tehsildar Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat of Anantnag was arrested for demanding ₹20,000 for inheritance mutation of land.
On March 27, Forest Guard Md. Zaman and Forester Ajaz Ahmed in Rajouri were caught demanding ₹7,000 to allow excavation on private land under forest jurisdiction.
In April, high-profile operations were conducted across districts.
On April 4 in Rajouri, Head Constable Mohd Alyas of PS Thanamandi was arrested for demanding and accepting ₹10,000 from a complainant seeking release of a vehicle seized in a road accident.
On April 5, Anirudh Sharma, Junior Engineer with JPDCL in Katra, was caught red-handed accepting ₹75,000 as a bribe for replacing an electric meter.
On April 6, Junior Assistant Des Raj in the Social Welfare Department, Billawar, Kathua, was arrested for demanding bribes under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme.
On April 7 in Baramulla, two PWD officials, Mushtaq Ahmad (Sr. Assistant) and Farooq Ahmad (Jr. Assistant), were arrested for demanding ₹13,000 bribe for releasing payment under a GeM tender.
On April 9, J&K ACB trapped and arrested Shiekh Zada Irfan, Panchayat Secretary (VLW), Block Devsar Kulgam Anantnag for demanding and accepting bribe of ₹5000.
The ACB has sent a strong message that corruption in Jammu & Kashmir’s administrative machinery will not be tolerated. These actions reflect a sustained effort to protect public resources, promote accountability, and ensure integrity in public service.
