SRINAGAR, July 21 -- The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday trapped and arrested Mushtaq Ahmad Khatana, Patwari of Patwar Halqa Banimulla, Kulgam, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 23,000.

The action was taken following a written complaint from a local resident who had applied at Tehsil Office Pahloo for permission to cut walnut trees on his land. The application was forwarded to the concerned Patwari for a report, during which Khatana allegedly demanded Rs. 23,000 in exchange for a favourable report.

Instead of paying the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, which conducted a discreet verification, confirmed the allegations, and registered FIR No. 02/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corrupt...