EOW Kashmir Conducts Searches in ₹93 Lakh Land Fraud Case

Srinagar, May 19: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir conducted house searches in Budgam district in connection with an alleged land fraud case involving ₹93 lakh.

According to a statement issued by the Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK), the searches were carried out at Semsaan area of Budgam in connection with FIR No. 17/2026 registered under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station EOW Kashmir.

The statement said the case pertains to an alleged fraud involving accused Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam, and Soom Nath Koul of Bangalore North, Karnataka, presently residing at Janipur Jammu.

During the course of investigation, the complainant was allegedly induced into purchasing five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama district along with 300 standing trees at Bijbehara through fake agreements, the CBK statement said.

It further stated that Soom Nath Koul allegedly impersonated himself as the attorney holder of the original owners, while Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar acted as a witness in the transaction. Investigators later found that neither the land nor the trees belonged to the accused persons, the statement added.

The Crime Branch said that, as part of the ongoing investigation, searches were conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrates to recover incriminating material and other evidence relevant to the case.

Meanwhile, the EOW Kashmir advised the public to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and urged people to report such incidents directly to SSP EOW Srinagar, Abdul Waheed Shah. Victims of economic fraud can also lodge complaints through the official email address, the statement added.