J&K Crime Branch arrests multi-identity fugitive in multi-crore land fraud
Synopsis
A fugitive who allegedly used four different identities to cheat land buyers across Jammu & Kashmir has been arrested after years on the run. Soom Nath Koul, wanted in five separate fraud cases involving migrant properties and fake Powers of Attorney, was nabbed by a special EOW Kashmir team — the second arrest in the same case cluster within a week.
Key Takeaways
Soom Nath Koul arrested by EOW Kashmir, J&K Crime Branch on 27 September 2026 in a multi-crore land fraud case.
Koul allegedly used four false identities — Soom Nath Koul, Brij Nath Bhat, Hadi Nath Dhar, and Mohan Lal Dhar — to evade arrest for several years.
A total of five cases are registered against him involving cheating, forgery, and migrant property fraud through fake Powers of Attorney.
A chargesheet was previously filed against him in absentia under Section 512 CrPC .
Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar of Budgam was arrested in the same case cluster just last week.
Further investigation is ongoing; the public can report fraud to sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in .
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir, J&K Crime Branch, on Sunday, 27 September 2026, arrested Soom Nath Koul — a long-absconding accused wanted in a multi-crore land and cheating fraud — in compliance with orders issued by the Court of the Sub-Judge, Srinagar. Koul, who had allegedly evaded law enforcement for several years using multiple false identities, is now in custody after a sustained operation by a specially constituted team.
Who Was Arrested and Where
Soom Nath Koul, son of Kalash Nath Koul, originally a resident of 22-Lotus Tower, Bangalore North, Karnataka and reportedly residing at Janipur, Jammu at the time of arrest, is the accused. Investigators say he allegedly operated under at least four different identities — Soom Nath Koul, Brij Nath Bhat, Hadi Nath Dhar, and Mohan Lal Dhar — to evade detection and continue fraudulent transactions.
A total of five cases have been registered against him with the Crime Branch, Kashmir, covering allegations of cheating, forgery, and land-related fraud involving migrant properties through fake Powers of Attorney and fabricated sale agreements.
How the Alleged Fraud Operated
According to the investigating agency, Koul allegedly induced buyers into land transactions by misrepresenting himself under different names and identities. The fraud reportedly involved migrant properties — a sensitive category in the Jammu & Kashmir context — with victims being cheated in connection with land deals allegedly worth crores of rupees.
In at least one case, a chargesheet was filed against the accused in absentia under Section 512 CrPC after sustained but initially unsuccessful efforts to trace him. 'Hue and Cry Notices' were issued and published periodically over the years to locate and identify him.
Second Arrest in the Same Case
The EOW Kashmir had arrested Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar, resident of Jawalapora, Samson, Budgam, just days earlier — last week — in connection with the same cluster of cases. Investigators say Dar was found to be involved in the same fraud network, and the two arrests are part of an ongoing probe into what the agency describes as a coordinated conspiracy involving multiple accused persons.
What the Agency Says and What Comes Next
The EOW Kashmir has confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged financial fraud, identify all land transactions involved, and establish the roles of others allegedly connected to the offences.
The agency has also issued a public advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and to report any such incidents to SSP EOW Srinagar (Crime Branch J&K), Abdul Waheed Shah, or via email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in. With the investigation still active, further arrests cannot be ruled out.
Point of View
Combined with the filing of a chargesheet in absentia, signals a suspect who was well aware of legal exposure and adept at institutional evasion. Five registered cases suggest this was not opportunistic but structured fraud — the kind that requires co-conspirators, which the parallel arrest of Dar confirms. The real question for investigators now is how many victims remain unidentified, and whether the property trail can be unwound before assets change hands again.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Soom Nath Koul and why was he arrested?
Soom Nath Koul is an accused in five separate fraud cases registered with the Crime Branch, Kashmir, involving cheating, forgery, and land fraud related to Kashmiri migrant properties. He was arrested on 27 September 2026 in compliance with court orders after evading law enforcement for several years using multiple false identities.
What kind of fraud is Soom Nath Koul accused of?
He is accused of inducing buyers into land transactions using fake Powers of Attorney and fabricated sale agreements, allegedly misrepresenting himself under at least four different names. The fraud allegedly involved crores of rupees and targeted Kashmiri migrant properties.
How many cases are registered against the accused?
Five cases are registered against Soom Nath Koul with the Crime Branch, Kashmir, pertaining to cheating, forgery, and land-related fraud. In at least one case, a chargesheet was filed against him in absentia under Section 512 CrPC.
Who else has been arrested in connection with this fraud?
Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar, resident of Jawalapora, Samson, Budgam, was arrested last week in connection with the same case cluster. Investigators say he was found to be involved in the same fraud network as Koul.
How can fraud victims contact the J&K Crime Branch EOW?
Victims of economic fraud in Kashmir can contact SSP EOW Srinagar (Crime Branch J&K), Abdul Waheed Shah, or send complaints to the official email: sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in. The agency has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity promptly.
