Gold Fraud Case: Police Arrest Woman, Two Aides

SRINAGAR: Police in central kashmir’s Srinagar on Thursday announced the arrest of a woman wanted in multiple cheating and stolen-gold cases, along with two alleged accomplices, effectively dismantling a gold-fraud network operating across several districts of the Kashmir Valley.

The operation was led by Police Station Lal Bazar following sustained intelligence that helped trace the prime suspect, identified as Asmat Jan alias Taboo. She was sought in a series of cheating and fraud cases registered in Lal Bazar, Safakadal, Chadoora, Sopore and Khrew in Awantipora. Officials said she had evaded arrest for a considerable time by frequently relocating between West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra and Jammu.

Five teams from PS Lal Bazar, working under the supervision of the SDPO and Zonal SP, tracked her to Hotel White House in Jalandhar, Punjab, where she was apprehended after weeks of coordinated efforts.

Police noted that the Gold Association of Kashmir Valley had previously raised alarm over her repeated involvement in deceiving gold traders. A case—FIR No. 42/2025—has been registered at Lal Bazar under Sections 303(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

During the follow-up investigation, officers said credible evidence indicated the involvement of two associates who allegedly assisted in the disposal of stolen gold. Both individuals were subsequently arrested.

They were identified as Shameem Ahmad Sheikh, son of Sonaullah Sheikh of Iqbal Colony, Indra Nagar, a Bohri Kadal goldsmith accused of knowingly purchasing stolen gold at reduced prices and aiding in its concealment and circulation; and Basir Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Aziz Dar of Nawakadal, who was allegedly responsible for transporting and discreetly disposing of stolen gold.

Police said all three suspects remain in custody, adding that further arrests and recoveries are anticipated as the investigation on advances.