FIR Registered in Budgam Petrol Pump Land Scam
Srinagar, Nov 4: In a major crackdown on corruption and misuse of official position, the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered two separate cases, one in Samba and another in Budgam, exposing deep-rooted graft and manipulation in the revenue and licensing departments.
In a statement issued here to news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, In the first case, the ACB registered FIR No. 19/2025 U/S 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Sunil Kumar, Patwari, Patwar Halqa Dadui, Tehsil & District Samba, for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from a complainant. The accused allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1,00,000 for preparing a report related to Girdawari correction sought by Tehsildar Samba. After negotiation, he agreed to accept ₹80,000. The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the ACB, which verified the allegations and laid a successful trap. The accused was caught red-handed while accepting ₹20,000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses.
During subsequent searches, the ACB recovered more than ₹35 lakh in cash from the accused’s vehicle, while searches were also conducted at his residence in the presence of magistrates. The accused was arrested on the spot, and further investigation into the source of the seized cash and possible links to other officials is underway.
In a separate action, the ACB Srinagar registered FIR No. 21/2025 following a detailed verification into a complaint filed by residents of Arigam, Budgam, alleging illegal construction of a petrol pump on Kahcharaie land. The inquiry revealed that one Ali Mohammad Khan had managed to obtain a petrol pump license in 2020 on the basis of falsified NOCs issued by the then Patwari Arigam, Naib Tehsildar Arigam, and Tehsildar Khansahab. These officials deliberately omitted key facts, including the presence of State and Shamilat land separating the site from the main road, and falsely declared the site feasible.
The investigation found that the revenue officers, in criminal conspiracy with the beneficiary, misused their official positions to facilitate encroachment on State land and extend undue pecuniary benefits. Accordingly, offences under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and Section 120-B IPC were established. FIR No. 21/2025 was registered at ACB Police Station Srinagar, and further investigation into the case is ongoing.
These back-to-back actions by the ACB reflect a firm stance against corruption in public offices, particularly within the revenue departments, signaling intensified efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. (KNC)
