Crime Branch Kashmir raids Budgam in ₹93 lakh migrant land fraud case
Synopsis
J&K Crime Branch's Economic Offences Wing has raided Budgam in a ₹93 lakh fraud where a buyer was allegedly duped into purchasing migrant land and standing trees through forged power-of-attorney documents — a pattern that continues to exploit Kashmiri migrant families displaced from their properties.
Key Takeaways
EOW Kashmir conducted searches at Semsaan, Budgam on 19 May 2026 in a ₹93 lakh land fraud case.
The accused allegedly sold 5 kanals of migrant land at Drusu, Pulwama and 300 standing trees at Bijbehara via forged agreements.
Accused identified as Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam, and Soom Nath Koul of Bengaluru/Jammu.
Case registered under FIR No.
17/2026 at Police Station EOW Kashmir under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Public can report economic fraud to SSP EOW Srinagar Abdul Waheed Shah at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in .
J&K Police's Crime Branch conducted house searches in Budgam district on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into a ₹93 lakh land fraud involving the alleged sale of migrant property and standing trees through forged agreements. The searches were carried out by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir at Semsaan, Budgam, in connection with FIR No. 17/2026.
What the Fraud Involved
According to investigators, the complainant was allegedly induced to purchase 5 kanals of migrant land at Drusu, Pulwama and 300 standing trees at Bijbehara through fabricated agreements. The accused — Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam and Soom Nath Koul of Bengaluru/Jammu — allegedly misrepresented ownership of the assets. Koul reportedly posed as the attorney holder of the original owners, while Dar allegedly served as witness to the fraudulent transactions. Investigation subsequently established that neither the land nor the trees belonged to either accused.
Legal Sections Invoked
The case has been registered under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station EOW Kashmir. Searches at Semsaan were conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrates to ensure procedural compliance and to collect incriminating material and other evidence relevant to the case.
Why Migrant Property Fraud Is a Persistent Concern
The fraudulent sale of Kashmiri migrant property has been a recurring challenge in the region, with displaced families — many of them Kashmiri Pandits — remaining particularly vulnerable to exploitation of their assets in absentia. This case, involving both migrant land and standing trees across two districts, reflects a pattern where forged power-of-attorney documents are used to defraud buyers while the original owners remain unaware. The EOW's involvement signals a structured, specialised approach to tackling such economic offences, which routine law-and-order policing is not equipped to handle.
Public Advisory and How to Report
The Crime Branch has urged the general public to stay vigilant against economic fraudsters. Citizens who suspect fraud or have been victimised are advised to report directly to SSP EOW Srinagar (Crime Branch J&K), Abdul Waheed Shah, or submit complaints via the official email: sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in. The EOW operates with dedicated investigative teams specifically trained for economic offence cases, distinct from general policing units.
Further arrests and recoveries are expected as the investigation continues.
Point of View
With one accused linked to Bengaluru and Jammu, suggesting these networks operate across state lines. The EOW's structured approach is a step forward, but the deeper question is whether J&K's property records and attorney-verification systems are robust enough to prevent such fraud at the point of transaction, rather than detecting it after the fact.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ₹93 lakh land fraud case in Budgam?
It is a case in which a complainant was allegedly duped into buying 5 kanals of migrant land at Drusu, Pulwama, and 300 standing trees at Bijbehara through forged agreements. The accused allegedly posed as legitimate attorney holders of the original migrant owners, when in fact neither the land nor the trees belonged to them.
Who are the accused in the Budgam land fraud case?
The two accused are Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam, and Soom Nath Koul of Bengaluru/Jammu. Koul allegedly posed as the attorney holder of the original owners, while Dar allegedly acted as witness to the fraudulent transactions.
What legal sections have been invoked in the case?
The case is registered under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station EOW Kashmir, as FIR No. 17/2026.
How can victims of economic fraud in Kashmir report their cases?
Victims can report directly to SSP EOW Srinagar (Crime Branch J&K), Abdul Waheed Shah, or submit complaints via the official email sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in.
Why is migrant property fraud a recurring issue in Kashmir?
Displaced Kashmiri families, many of them Kashmiri Pandits, own land and assets in the Valley but are unable to oversee them in person. This creates opportunities for fraudsters to use forged power-of-attorney documents to sell or exploit these properties without the owners' knowledge.
