SRINAGAR, October 29: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against five persons in connection with an alleged fraud involving the sale of 14 kanals and 3 marlas of migrant property in Pattan, where payments exceeding Rs 1 crore were reportedly made.
According to an official spokesperson, the chargesheet in FIR No. 34/2017 was submitted before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore. The accused face allegations of cheating, impersonation, forgery and criminal conspiracy under Sections 420, 419, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The accused have been identified as Brij Nath, Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, Zahoor Ahmed Dar and Reyaz Ahmad Rather.
The case originated from a written complaint alleging the fraudulent sale of 14 kanals and 3 marlas of land bearing Survey No. 349 at Mouza Wussan, Goshbugh, Pattan, owned by Jawahar Lal Bhat.
The complainant alleged that despite paying more than Rs 1 crore, possession of the property was not handed over and the amount was not refunded.
During the investigation, officials allegedly found evidence of a conspiracy involving impersonation, fabricated identity documents and the misuse of a purported Power of Attorney to facilitate the fraud.
Two Accused Arrested
The spokesperson said Brij Nath, also known by the aliases Soom Nath, Hadi Nath and Mohan Lal, and Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar were arrested in late September. Dar has since obtained bail, while Brij Nath remains lodged in Central Jail. Other cases involving the two accused are also under investigation.
The EOW had previously filed a chargesheet in August 2023 in FIR No. 27/2021 against Brij Nath and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh. The latest chargesheet marks the second chargesheet filed against both accused, the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the SSP EOW Kashmir has advised people to carefully verify land ownership records and legal documents before entering into property transactions to prevent fraud and financial losses.
