The Economic Offences Wing of Jammu and Kashmir police today arrested a Patwari in connection with a land fraud case involving the property of a migrant Kashmiri Pandit in Ganderbal district.
The arrested Patwari has been identified as Khursheed Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Fatehpora, Ganderbal, in central Kashmir.
The Economic Offences Wing, formerly known as the Crime Branch Kashmir, earlier in the day registered a case against four persons, including the serving Patwari under Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), 471 (using forged documents), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The other accused in the case include Ghulam Nabi Bhat of Fatepora Ganderbal; Abdul Rashid Parray of Pandach Ganderbal and Sajid Rashid Parray, of Pandach Ganderbal.
The investigation by EoW said Bhat was the prime accused in the fraudulent sale of land measuring 7 kanals and 2 marlas at Mouza Nuner, Ganderbal. Investigation has revealed that Bhat, along with others, falsely posed as landowners and executed a fake sale agreement. The land was owned by a migrant Kashmiri Pandit and held under the power of attorney by a third party.
The complainant had already paid Rs. 1.19 crore out of the agreed Rs. 2.76 crore before discovering the fraud.
Preliminary investigation has established a criminal conspiracy involving impersonation and forged documents, the EoW said. Further investigation was on.
