SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has arrested an alleged fraudster in connection with a ₹93 lakh land and property cheating case, officials said.
The accused has been identified as Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar, a resident of Jawalapora, Samson Budgam. Police said Dar was wanted in connection with multiple criminal cases registered with the EOW/SCW Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K.
Officials said the arrest was made pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar. The accused had allegedly been evading arrest for nearly a year.
The case stems from a written complaint alleging that Dar, described as a land broker, cheated the complainant of approximately ₹93 lakh, allegedly 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.
The case is being investigated under FIR No. 17/2026, 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 allegedly found that the accused persons represented themselves as owners or authorised attorney holders of migrant property and offered land and other properties for sale.
Investigators further alleged that the accused offered to sell five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama, along with 300 standing trees in Bijbehara, while allegedly relying on forged agreements and documents.
The investigation also revealed that a bank account allegedly used to transfer the cheated money was opened on the same day as the transaction. Officials suspect that the account may have been created specifically to facilitate the alleged fraud.
According to the Crime Branch, the accused persons allegedly targeted individuals by making false claims about migrant properties and inducing them to pay substantial amounts of money.
Meanwhile, a Hue and Cry Notice remains in force against the absconding co-accused, Soom Nath Koul.
Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify any other persons 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.
