EOW Kashmir Arrests Man in ₹93 Lakh Land Fraud Case

SRINAGAR, Sept 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has arrested an alleged fraudster in connection with a ₹93 lakh land and property cheating case, officials said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar, a resident of Jawalapora, Samson Budgam. He was wanted in several criminal cases registered with the EOW/SCW Kashmir and had allegedly been evading arrest for nearly a year.

Officials said Dar was arrested pursuant to an order and warrant issued by the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar.

The case stems from a written complaint alleging that Dar, described as a land broker, cheated the complainant of around ₹93 lakh in connivance with co-accused Soom Nath Koul, son of Kalash Nath Koul, a resident of Lotus Tower, Bangalore North, Karnataka, having a Jammu address at Janipur.

The case is being investigated under FIR No. 17/2026 registered at Police Station EOW Kashmir under Sections 318(4), 338, 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During investigation, the Crime Branch allegedly found that the accused had represented themselves as owners or authorised attorney holders of migrant property and offered land and other properties for sale.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly offered five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama, along with 300 standing trees in Bijbehara, using purportedly forged agreements and documents.

The investigation also revealed that a bank account allegedly used for transferring the cheated money was opened on the same day as the transaction, raising suspicion that it was created specifically to facilitate the alleged fraud.

The Crime Branch said the accused allegedly targeted people through false representations regarding the sale of migrant properties and induced them to pay large sums of money.

A Hue and Cry Notice remains in force against the absconding co-accused, Soom Nath Koul.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify other persons involved and trace the financial transactions connected with the case.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.