The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K on Tuesday carried out search operations in Budgam district on Tuesday in connection with an alleged Rs 93 lakh land fraud case involving the sale of migrant property and standing trees in South Kashmir.
Officials said the searches were conducted in connection with an FIR registered in April this year under sections 318(4), 336(3), 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station EOW Kashmir.
The case pertains to alleged fraudulent sale of five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama and 300 standing trees at Bijbehara through fake agreements.
The accused have been identified as land broker Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam and Soom Nath Koul of Bangalore North, Karnataka/Janipur Jammu.
EOW said during investigation, it surfaced that the complainant was allegedly induced into purchasing the migrant land and trees, while Koul allegedly posed as attorney holder of the original owners and Dar acted as a witness.
The investigation further revealed that neither the land nor the trees belonged to the accused persons, EoW said.
The land as well as trees did not belong to them nor the duo were authorized by the original owners to sell the same.
Officials said during the investigation it also surfaced that the Bank account in which the money transferred was opened solely to cheat the complainant on the same day on which money was transferred.
“The criminal acts committed by the accused Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar and Soom Nath Koul prima facie disclose commission of offence punishable U/S 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340, 61(2) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” they said, adding that accordingly a case was registered at and investigation were taken up.
The searches on Tuesday were carried out in the presence of Executive Magistrates to collect incriminating material and other evidence relevant to the case.
Further investigation is underway, they said.
