J&K Crime Branch files chargesheet against Srinagar man in land, job fraud
Synopsis
A Srinagar man who allegedly pocketed money from victims by promising JDA land and government jobs has been chargesheeted by J&K's Economic Offences Wing — six years after the fraud was committed in January 2019. The case highlights the Crime Branch's expanding role in tackling financial crimes across the Union Territory.
Key Takeaways
Crime Branch J&K filed a chargesheet against Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Astanpora, Tailbal Hazratbal, Srinagar under Section 420 RPC .
The case is registered as FIR No.
84/2022 ; the chargesheet was submitted before the Court of Judge Small Causes, Srinagar .
The accused allegedly defrauded complainants in January 2019 by promising JDA land in Jammu and government jobs for their relatives.
Investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir confirmed cheating through false assurances.
The public is advised to report economic fraud to SSP Abdul Waheed Shah , EOW Kashmir, or via email to the Crime Branch.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu & Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Astanpora, Tailbal Hazratbal, Srinagar, for allegedly defrauding multiple complainants by making false promises of JDA land in Jammu and government jobs. The chargesheet, filed in FIR No. 84/2022 under Section 420 RPC, was submitted before the Court of Judge Small Causes, Srinagar, the Crime Branch said on 30 April 2025.
What the Accused Allegedly Did
According to the Crime Branch statement, in January 2019, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Gani Bhat, allegedly obtained a large sum of money from complainants under false pretences. He reportedly promised to arrange JDA (Jammu Development Authority) land and secure government jobs for the complainants' relatives in exchange for the money.
He failed to deliver on either promise. Investigators say he intentionally deceived the victims and dishonestly appropriated their funds through fabricated assurances — conduct that, according to the EOW, squarely meets the threshold of cheating under Section 420 RPC.
Investigation and Evidence
The EOW Kashmir, a specialised wing of the Crime Branch J&K, conducted the investigation. Evidence gathered during the probe confirmed the commission of the offence, prompting the chargesheet to be placed before the court for judicial adjudication. The Crime Branch noted that its personnel are equipped with dedicated investigative technology and specialised training for probing financial crimes — capabilities that distinguish it from the territorial police, which is simultaneously tasked with law-and-order maintenance and anti-terrorist operations.
Public Advisory
The Crime Branch has urged citizens across Jammu & Kashmir to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters. Members of the public who have been victimised by similar schemes are advised to report incidents directly to Senior Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing Kashmir, Abdul Waheed Shah, or submit complaints to the Crime Branch via email.
Role of the Crime Branch
The Crime Branch is a dedicated investigative arm of the J&K Police, staffed by personnel with specialised training to handle financial crimes and other complex criminal activities that fall outside the routine purview of executive police. Its Economic Offences Wing has been increasingly active in pursuing land and job fraud cases across the Union Territory. The case will now proceed before the Srinagar court for trial.
Point of View
Even within a dedicated wing. While the EOW's eventual action is welcome, victims of economic fraud in the Union Territory often endure prolonged uncertainty before cases reach court. The Crime Branch's public advisory — urging citizens to report fraud directly to a named SSP — is a practical step, but institutional trust will depend on how swiftly the judicial process now moves.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been chargesheeted by J&K Crime Branch in the land and job fraud case?
Bashir Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Gani Bhat, a resident of Astanpora, Tailbal Hazratbal, Srinagar, has been chargesheeted under Section 420 RPC for allegedly defrauding complainants with false promises of JDA land and government jobs.
What was the alleged fraud committed by Bashir Ahmad Bhat?
In January 2019, Bashir Ahmad Bhat allegedly collected a large sum of money from complainants by promising to arrange JDA land in Jammu and government jobs for their relatives. He failed to deliver on both promises, and investigators say the deception was intentional.
Where has the chargesheet been filed?
The chargesheet has been filed before the Court of Judge Small Causes, Srinagar, under FIR No. 84/2022 and Section 420 RPC, for judicial adjudication.
How can victims of economic fraud in J&K report their cases?
Victims can report economic fraud directly to Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Waheed Shah of the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir, or submit their complaint to the Crime Branch J&K via email.
What is the Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch J&K?
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is a specialised investigative unit within Crime Branch J&K, staffed by trained personnel with dedicated technology to probe financial crimes such as land fraud, job fraud, and other economic offences that require expertise beyond the scope of regular territorial police.
