The Economic Offences Wing today registered a case against four persons, including a serving Patwari, in connection with a land fraud involving the property of a Kashmiri Pandit in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the accused have been identified as Khurshid Ahmad Bhat (Patwari), of Fatepora Ganderbal; Ghulam Nabi Bhat of Fatepora Ganderbal; Abdul Rashid Parray of Pandach Ganderbal; and Sajid Rashid Parray, of Pandach Ganderbal.
The case was initiated following a written complaint alleging that the accused, led by Patwari Khurshid Bhat, fraudulently posed as landowners and entered into a sale agreement for 7 kanals and 2 marlas of land at Mouza Nuner, Ganderbal. The land, however, turned out to belong to a migrant Kashmiri Pandit and was under power of attorney of a third party.
A spokesman of the EOW, formerly known as Crime Branch Kashmir said the complainant had already paid Rs 1.19 crore out of a total deal amount of Rs 2.76 crore before discovering the fraud.
A preliminary investigation by EoW revealed a well-planned conspiracy involving forged documents, impersonation, and deliberate misrepresentation.
Crime Branch Kashmir has established prima facie offences under Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), 471 (using forged documents), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.
An FIR has been registered at Police Station, Economic Offences Wing, and further investigation is underway.
