Patwari Caught Red-Handed Taking Bribe in Kathua: Arrested by ACB
Kathua, Feb 14: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested Sudershan Khajuria, Patwari Halqa Khanpur, Tehsil Marheen, District Kathua, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹15,000.
As per the ACB statement, the complainant had approached the bureau after the accused Patwari allegedly demanded ₹30,000 for rectifying a Girdawari entry. Following negotiations, the bribe amount was settled at ₹15,000. The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, chose the legal route and filed a complaint with the ACB.
Acting on the complaint, the ACB conducted a discreet verification, which confirmed the allegations. Consequently, an FIR (No. 01/2025 U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988) was registered at ACB Police Station, Jammu, and a trap was laid.
During the operation, the accused public servant was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. The ACB team arrested him on the spot and recovered the bribe money. Additionally, searches were conducted at his residence and office premises under the supervision of a Magistrate.
The ACB has assured that further investigation into the case is ongoing to uncover any additional links or corrupt practices.
