SOLAN — The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered a criminal case against a Settlement Department Patwari here for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹1,500 through a digital payment application to process a land partition file.
The First Information Report, registered as FIR No. 04/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, names Ankur, a Patwari posted in the Settlement Department at Solan.
According to the Bureau, the case stems from a complaint filed by Vikas Kanwar. The complainant alleged that the official demanded illegal gratification for facilitating the Taksim (partition) of his land and provided his mobile number to receive the funds via Google Pay. Authorities confirmed that an audio recording corroborating the demand was submitted by the complainant during the initial inquiry.
Director General of Police Ashok Tewari emphasized that the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward graft, regardless of the scale involved.
"Corruption, irrespective of the amount involved or the position held by the public servant, will not be tolerated," DGP Tewari said.
"The State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau is committed to taking prompt and strict legal action against every instance of corruption.
Citizens are encouraged to report demands for illegal gratification and cooperate with the Bureau in its efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and corruption-free public services."
Investigators stated that further probe into the matter is currently underway.
