ACB Conducts Twin Raids, Seizes Revenue and Banking Records
TAUSEEF AHMAD
SRINAGAR, Feb 7: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Srinagar, has registered a formal case against Moean Azhar Kakroo, the then Tehsildar of South Srinagar, on charges of abusing his official position by allegedly demanding and accepting illegal gratification in lieu of facilitating land restoration and demarcation.
Officials said FIR No. 03 of 2026 has been registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The case stems from a detailed verification conducted by the bureau following a complaint alleging bribery and irregularities in the process of land restoration and demarcation carried out in the year 2021.
According to the verification report, a parcel of land measuring 4 Kanals, 9 Marlas and 165 square feet—comprising Survey No. 998/54—was officially recorded in the names of multiple individuals, including the complainant. The ACB found that the accused public servant allegedly demanded illegal gratification for facilitating the restoration of 14 Marlas of this land situated at Gulbahar Colony, Hyderpora, Sector-14, Srinagar.
Officials further revealed that the illegal gratification was not limited to cash. The verification established that a second-hand Mahindra Rexton 4×4 vehicle bearing registration number MH03CP-5000 was allegedly accepted by the accused as a bribe. The payments for the vehicle were reportedly made by the complainant through banking channels, specifically via his Paytm account linked with Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Batamaloo branch.
The probe also revealed that after the land restoration process was completed, the complainant sold the restored land in January 2022 to a private buyer. The land is currently under the possession of the purchaser.
The ACB stated that the alleged demand and acceptance of illegal gratification—other than lawful remuneration—in connection with an official act clearly amounts to abuse of official position and attracts penal provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Following the registration of the FIR, the bureau carried out searches at two locations after obtaining warrants from the competent court. These included the accused’s residential house at Kanil Bagh, Azad Road, Baramulla, and another residential house at Rose Avenue Colony, Gazalla Abad, HMT, Srinagar. During the searches, officials recovered and seized incriminating material, including revenue-related records, financial documents and banking papers, which are now part of the evidence in the case.
Officials also noted that the accused had been appointed on compassionate grounds during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed after his father—who was serving as PDP Block President—was killed by unidentified gunmen. At present, the accused is posted as Tehsildar Khansahab and is also holding additional charge of Khag in Budgam district.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
