Jammu, April 13, 2026:
In a significant development in the fight against corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, Shri Tasleem Arif, today convicted former Patwari Ghulam Qadir Bhat in a bribery case and sentenced him to one year of imprisonment along with a fine of ₹10,000.
The convicted official, who served as Patwari Halqa Khushipora Zainkot, is the son of Mohammad Ismail Bhat and a resident of Narparistan Fateh Kadal, Srinagar.
The conviction stems from FIR No. 20/2007, registered on April 1, 2007, at Police Station Vigilance Organization Kashmir (VOK)—now known as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The case was registered under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, read with Section 161 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
According to the prosecution, the accused public servant demanded and accepted a bribe of ₹3,000 from a complainant for implementing a mutation in their favour. Following a thorough investigation by the VOK (now ACB), the allegations were substantiated through oral and documentary evidence, leading to the filing of a charge sheet on February 29, 2008, before the Hon’ble Anti-Corruption Court, Srinagar.
After examining the evidence and hearing arguments, the court found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt and awarded the sentence accordingly. The prosecution was represented by Senior Prosecuting Officer Wajahat Jameel on behalf of the ACB Srinagar.
This judgment underscores the judiciary’s firm stance against corruption and serves as a strong deterrent to public servants engaging in illegal practices.