POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK JANUARY 17 2026
ACB Jammu Kashmir has intensified its anti-corruption crackdown across the Union Territory, arresting at least seven government officials, including four patwaris, within the last one month. The sustained drive against bribery and disproportionate assets, carried out by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in coordination with the CBI, has received widespread public support.
Officials said the arrests are part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing bribery, misuse of official position, and accumulation of disproportionate assets by public servants. The drive has particularly focused on grassroots-level officials, who directly deal with public services and land-related matters.
According to official sources, on December 20, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Ashiq Hussain Shah, a patwari posted in Panjora area of Shopian district and a resident of Turkawangam, while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹25,000. He was caught red-handed during a trap operation conducted by the ACB.
An FIR bearing No. 05/2025 was registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and a detailed investigation was initiated. Following his arrest, ACB officials carried out a search of his residential premises in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
Authorities said that the scope of investigation has since been widened to examine assets allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income. The probe also includes scrutiny of properties suspected to be held in the names of close relatives.
In another case, on December 26, the ACB arrested Manzoor Ahmad Ahanger, a clerk posted with the Rural Engineering Wing of the Rural Development Department in Anantnag, while allegedly accepting a bribe. An FIR No. 06/2025 was registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway.
Continuing the anti-graft drive into the new year, the ACB on January 10 arrested Riyaz Ahmad Khan, a patwari from Rakh-e-Sothu area of Budgam district, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000. In this regard, an FIR No. 02/2026 was lodged under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The arrests have been made under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as outlined by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a patwari and a chowkidar posted in the Sofshali area of Kokernag Assembly constituency in Anantnag district in connection with a bribery case involving ₹15,000. The arrests further reflect the growing focus on corruption within the Revenue Department and allied field-level offices.Officials said the action reflects the zero-tolerance policy adopted by the ACB Jammu Kashmir against bribery, abuse of authority, and accumulation of disproportionate assets.
The recent spate of arrests has triggered strong public reactions, particularly in South Kashmir, where citizens and civil society groups have demanded exemplary action against corrupt officials. Many have urged the government to ensure dismissal from service, speedy trials, and immediate attachment of properties acquired through illegal means.
Earlier, ACB action against corruption in J&K had also received strong public support.
Observers believe the ongoing crackdown sends a strong deterrent message and reinforces the administration’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability. Officials said further arrests and property attachment proceedings are likely as investigations progress.
The ongoing drive by ACB Jammu Kashmir is expected to continue, with more arrests and property attachment proceedings likely in the coming weeks.
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