EOW Kashmir conducts house searches at multiple locations in Srinagar, Budgam

Srinagar, Mar 26: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K today conducted house searches at three locations in the districts of Srinagar and Budgam in connection with a COVID-era procurement fraud case, in which the accused persons fraudulently siphoned off huge amounts of money, including funds from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, officials said on Thursday.

They said the searches were caried out in connection with FIR No. 11/2026 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC, read with Section 66-D of the IT Act, at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar.

In a statement, a CBK spokesperson said that the case was initiated on the basis of a written complaint submitted by M/s Sanjay Trading Company, Najafgarh, New Delhi, through its proprietor, Sanjay Kumar Sahu. The complainant alleged that Emad Muzafar Makdoomi @ Imran Shah, S/o Muzaffar Iqbal Maqdoomi, R/o House No. 09, Bismillah Colony, Peerbagh, Srinagar, and Vikar Ahmad Bhat, S/o Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, R/o L.D Colony near Fire & Emergency, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, dishonestly induced the firm on the pretext of procuring medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement said that a preliminary probe revealed that the accused persons, through deceitful means, fraudulently obtained huge amounts, including funds from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag. They also attempted to siphon off crores of rupees from Government Medical College, Srinagar.

The accused individuals impersonated government officials, posing as delegates and OSD (Supplies), and issued fake allotment orders of various departments and institutions. They further created fake email IDs of the complainant firm and opened fraudulent bank accounts in its name to divert payments, it said.

On the basis of these findings, the spokesperson said, a formal case has been registered and the investigation has been set into motion.

He further said that the house searches conducted today are aimed at securing further evidence, including digital records and financial documents. Further investigation is underway.