Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has arrested a man in connection with an alleged land and property fraud involving around Rs 93 lakh, officials said on Friday.
The accused, identified as Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar and a resident of Jawalapora, Samson Budgam, was arrested pursuant to an order and warrant issued by the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar, officials said.
According to the Crime Branch, Dar had been evading arrest for nearly a year and was wanted in several criminal cases registered with the EOW/SCW Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K.
The case originated from a written complaint alleging that Dar, described as a land broker, cheated the complainant of approximately Rs 93 lakh in connivance with co-accused Soom Nath Koul, son of Kalash Nath Koul, a resident of Lotus Tower, Bangalore North, Karnataka, and having an address at Janipur, Jammu.
An FIR, No. 17/2026, has been registered at Police Station EOW Kashmir under Sections 318(4), 338, 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the investigation, the Crime Branch alleged that the accused represented themselves as owners or authorised attorney holders of migrant property and offered land and other properties for sale.
Investigators alleged that the accused offered five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama, along with 300 standing trees in Bijbehara, by allegedly using forged agreements and other documents.
The investigation further revealed that a bank account allegedly used for transferring the cheated money had been opened on the same day as the transaction. Officials said they suspect the account may have been created specifically to facilitate the alleged fraud.
According to the Crime Branch, the accused allegedly targeted individuals through false representations regarding the sale of migrant properties and induced them to part with substantial sums of money.
A Hue and Cry Notice remains in force against the absconding co-accused, Soom Nath Koul, officials said.
The Crime Branch said further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify any other persons who may have been involved and trace the financial transactions linked to the case.
The allegations are subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
