Srinagar, Mar 16: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday said that the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar has convicted a Patwari in a bribery trap case, while a chargesheet has also been filed against another Patwari in a separate case in Udhampur.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said a significant verdict reinforcing the commitment to combating corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, Dr. Tasleem Arief Ganie, convicted Bashir Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Wahab Dar, resident of Arreh Mohanpora Kulgam, in a bribery case registered under FIR No. 03/2012 PS VOK now ACB.

He said, the accused, then-serving as Girdawar, was found guilty under Sections 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 161 RPC, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹1,000 from the complainant, in exchange for Intikhabs of land measuring 36 Kanals and 12 Marlas.

“Following a complaint filed on February 09, 2012, a trap was successfully laid by the Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (now Anti-Corruption Bureau), during which the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.”

“After thorough investigation, a chargesheet was filed on February 02, 2013, and the case proceeded for judicial determination. On March 16, 2026, the Hon’ble Court delivered the judgment, sentencing the accused Under Section 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of J&K PC Act, of simple imprisonment for two years along with a fine of ₹10,000/- and a sentence of simple imprisonment for a term of one year and fine of Rs 5000/- for the commission of offences punishable under section 161 RPC,” he said.

The spokesperson further said, this conviction marks another milestone in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service.

He added, in another case, Anti-Corruption Bureau Udhampur-Reasi has produced charge sheet in case FIR No.33/2017 33/2017 P/S VOJ (now ACB) under section 5(1) (d) r/w 5 (2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 and 120 B RPC before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Udhampur against accused person Mohd Saleem Banday the then Patwari Halqa Mand Tikri Udhampur now Girdawar Halqa Judda Tehsil Arnas District Reasi for entering/attesting a mutation No. 2338 dated 09.08.2006 u/s 6 of Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 with respect to Khasra No 871 Min measuring 1 Kanal in favour of Sh. Chuni Lal S/O Inder Dass R/O Mand, 1 Kanal (Gair Mumkin Dukan) and 06 Marlas (Gair Mumkin Dukan) in favour of Sh. Subash Chander, Kuldeep Kumar, Mohan Lal Ss/o Parmanand R/O Mand Tehsil & Distt. Udhampur.

“The instant case was registered on the basis of a verification conducted by Vigilance Organization into the allegations that the ownership rights by way of attesting mutation under section 6 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 have been conferred to the above said persons out of way by Mohd Saleem Banday the Patwari Halqa Mand and Sh. Faquir Chand then Naib Tehsildar Tikri (Now Expired).”

“The section 6 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 was neither applicable nor operative in the said case i.e. (Shops) because the application of section 6 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976 exclusively applies to (Dwelling House), occupied by a person who is a tiller,” he said.

“The said public servants along with the beneficiaries by abuse of their official position for ulterior motives conferred undue benefits in favour of the beneficiaries and violated the laid down rules while entering the attestation of said mutation,” said the spokesperson.

“It is pertinent to mention that accused Mohd Saleem Banday has been arrested by ACB in case FIR No. 04/2026 P/S ACB UR Jammu (Trap case) who is presently in judicial custody and one more FIR No. 06/2013 has also been registered against him in P/S VOJ (now ACB) which is under investigation”.

Jammu, Mar 16: More than 1.60 lakh voters were added to the electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir during the recent special summary revision (SSR), while 67,690 names were deleted and 2.29 lakh corrections carried out, according to official data.

Jammu district recorded the highest number of deletions, which included “duplicate” and “shifted” entries, in the annual voter list revision. The special summary revision is separate from the special intensive revision (SIR) carried out in some states.

According to the district-wise breakup of the current voter enrolment, Jammu district has the highest number of electors at 11,89,555, followed by Srinagar with 7,53,222 and Baramulla with 7,20,500 voters.

Among the districts, Srinagar registered the highest number of additions with 30,077, followed by Jammu with 16,855 and Baramulla with 11,854.

Jammu recorded the most deletions at 10,430, followed by Budgam with 7,762 and Anantnag with 5,241, it said.

The data reveals that a total of 1,60,974 additions, 67,690 deletions, and 2,29,920 corrections were recorded across the Union Territory during the revision exercise.

Of these, 10,639 duplicate voter entries and 34,675 shifted entries were detected and deleted across the Union territory, the data revealed.

Jammu district reported the highest number of shifted entries at 6,840, followed by Rajouri with 4,791 and Anantnag with 3,745.

Overall, the total electorate in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 87,42,878, including 44,65,161 male voters, 42,77,568 female voters, and 149 third gender voters, it added.

Officials said several steps are being taken to achieve 100 per cent voter enrolment, particularly among under-registered groups.

These include the special summary revision conducted under the Representation of the People Act, which now allows four qualifying dates in a year — January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 — for voter registration.

In addition, the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme is being implemented to promote voter awareness, education and participation in the electoral process across the Union territory, they said.

The election authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have recently conducted voter awareness initiatives under the SVEEP programme to increase voter registration and participation, particularly among youth, women and marginalized communities, officials said.

Officials said the programme focuses on promoting informed and ethical voting practices and spreading awareness about the electoral process. Since its introduction in 2009, SVEEP has played a key role in encouraging citizens to participate actively in democratic processes, they said.

At the chief electoral office level, several awareness activities have been undertaken during the SSR of electoral rolls, they added. “These include production of short videos, documentaries and slogans in local languages, dissemination of SMS alerts in English, Hindi and Urdu to subscribers of telecom networks… regarding voter registration, and publication of advertisements in leading newspapers across Jammu and Kashmir.”

Authorities have also broadcast audio spots through private radio channels, displayed scroll messages on cable television networks, and installed hoardings and posters at prominent locations to spread awareness about the voter enrolment process, they said. “In addition, scroll messages have been aired through Doordarshan stations in Jammu and Srinagar.”

At the district level, district election officers have launched multiple outreach initiatives. These include door-to-door visits by booth level officers (BLOs) and supervisors to identify and assist eligible voters in registration, they said.

Electoral literacy clubs have also been activated in schools and colleges to educate future voters about the electoral process. Polling stations have hosted “Chunav Pathshalas” to provide hands-on learning about voting procedures, they said.

Poonch, Mar 16: Authorities on Monday have reopened the historic Mughal Road for vehicular traffic.

Notably, the road was temporarily closed yesterday due to snowfall. However, as the weather improved this afternoon, the road was reopened.

District Traffic Inspector (DTI) Poonch, Manzoor Kohli, said that after clearing the snow from the road, it was reopened for traffic this afternoon.

Mendhar, Mar 16: An Army soldier died of a suspected cardiac arrest while on duty on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said on Monday.

Naik Tilak Singh was posted in the forward Nangi Takri area of Krishna Ghati sector, the officials said.

Paying tributes to the soldier for his courage and commitment to duty, the Army White Knight Corps said in a post on X, “In solemn remembrance, White Knight Corps pays tribute to braveheart Naik Tilak Singh, who was found unconscious while performing duty on the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector on March 15. Despite immediate medical assistance, the brave soldier could not be revived and made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

“His unwavering courage and commitment to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His supreme sacrifice will continue to inspire generations.”