Srinagar,Jan 23: The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir of the Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Budgam in connection with an alleged land fraud involving a plot in the Government Housing Colony, Ompora, officials said on Thursday.
According to officials, the chargesheet has been produced in FIR number 61 of 2023 registered at Police Station EOW Kashmir under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code. The case pertains to allegations of cheating, forgery and use of forged documents in respect of Plot number 1165, measuring 30 by 50 feet, located at Ompora in Budgam district.
The case originated from a written complaint by a woman who claimed lawful ownership of the plot through a valid chain of powers of attorney derived from the original allottee. She alleged that another individual was simultaneously claiming ownership of the same plot on the basis of a separate set of documents, raising suspicion of fraud and criminal conspiracy.
Following the complaint, the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir initiated a detailed investigation. Statements of the complainant, the original allottee Satish Kumar Sharma and other relevant persons were recorded. Official verifications were also sought from the offices of the Sub Registrar Budgam and Sub Registrar IV, Second Additional Munsif Jammu.
Investigators found that an irrevocable general power of attorney, purportedly executed in 2010 in favour of the accused, was not registered in official records. The original allottee denied executing any such document and stated that he had never resided at the address mentioned in the alleged deed.
The investigation further revealed that the accused, Gh Mohi ud Din Dar, son of Mohd Shaban Dar and a resident of Nowgam Bypass, Srinagar, had allegedly used forged documents to claim ownership of the plot and carry out further transactions. Verification from the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Department confirmed the complainant as the legitimate owner of the property.
Officials said a prima facie case has been established under the relevant provisions of law, following which the chargesheet was filed before the competent court for judicial adjudication.
The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir said it remains vigilant against fraudulent dealings related to land and housing properties and warned that attempts to usurp public or private assets through forged documents will be dealt with strictly under the law.
