J&K Crime Branch files chargesheet against five in ₹1 crore migrant property fraud
Synopsis
J&K's Economic Offences Wing has filed a second chargesheet against two repeat accused in a ₹1 crore migrant land fraud case in Baramulla — a stark reminder of how Kashmiri migrant-owned properties remain a soft target for organised fraud, with absentee owners unable to safeguard their assets on the ground.
Key Takeaways
The EOW Kashmir filed a chargesheet on 29 October 2026 against five accused in a ₹1 crore migrant property fraud case in Baramulla .
The case involves the alleged fraudulent sale of 14 kanals and 3 marlas of land owned by Kashmiri migrant Jawahar Lal Bhat at Wussan, Goshbugh Pattan.
Accused allegedly used impersonation, forged documents , and a fraudulent power of attorney to cheat the complainant.
Brij Nath remains in Central Jail ; co-accused Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar has secured bail.
This is the second chargesheet against Brij Nath and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh — the first was filed in August 2023 in FIR No.
EOW Kashmir has advised the public to verify land records thoroughly before any property transaction.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the J&K Crime Branch on 29 October 2026 filed a chargesheet before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sopore, against five accused in a ₹1 crore migrant property fraud case linked to north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The case, registered as FIR No. 34/2017, involves the alleged fraudulent sale of land belonging to a Kashmiri migrant.
What the Chargesheet Alleges
According to the Crime Branch, the five accused allegedly conspired to defraud a complainant of over ₹1 crore through the purported sale of 14 kanals and 3 marlas of land at Wussan, Goshbugh Pattan, owned by Jawahar Lal Bhat. The complainant paid the amount for the land but reportedly received neither possession of the property nor a refund of the money.
Investigators say the accused used impersonation, fabricated identity documents, and misuse of a purported power of attorney to execute the alleged fraud. The chargesheet was filed under multiple sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) relating to cheating, impersonation, forgery, use of forged documents, and criminal conspiracy.
Who the Accused Are
The five individuals named in the chargesheet are: Brij Nath, a resident of Amit Nagar, Muthi, Jammu, who allegedly used several aliases; Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar of Samson, Budgam; Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Sachen Banet, Beerwah, Budgam; Zahoor Ahmed Dar of Margipora, Pattan; and Reyaz Ahmad Rather of Margipora, Pattan, Baramulla.
Brij Nath and Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar were arrested in late September. While Dar has since secured bail, Brij Nath remains lodged in Central Jail, according to officials. Separate cases against both individuals are reportedly under investigation.
A Pattern of Repeat Offences
This is not the first time Brij Nath and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh have faced legal proceedings in the EOW's sights. The wing had earlier filed a chargesheet in August 2023 in a separate case — FIR No. 27/2021 — against both accused. The latest filing is the second chargesheet against both individuals, underscoring what investigators describe as a pattern of repeat conduct in migrant property cases.
This comes amid longstanding concerns about the vulnerability of Kashmiri migrant-owned properties to fraudulent transactions, given that many displaced owners are physically absent from the valley and have limited access to local land records.
Advisory to the Public
The SSP, EOW Kashmir, has issued a public advisory urging prospective buyers to rigorously verify land ownership records and property documents before entering into any transaction, warning that lapses in due diligence continue to enable such frauds and result in significant financial losses.
With the chargesheet now filed, the case proceeds to the trial stage before the CJM, Sopore, where the accountability of all five accused will be tested in court.
Point of View
Not an isolated incident — organised groups appear to be repeatedly targeting migrant-owned land in Kashmir, exploiting the physical absence of displaced owners. The EOW's public advisory, while well-intentioned, places the burden of due diligence on buyers rather than addressing the structural gap: the absence of a robust, digitised, tamper-proof land registry for migrant properties. Until J&K authorities establish real-time encumbrance verification accessible to buyers and courts, similar frauds will keep recurring. The second chargesheet also raises questions about bail conditions and the adequacy of monitoring of repeat accused while their separate cases are still under investigation.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the J&K migrant property fraud case about?
The case involves the alleged fraudulent sale of 14 kanals and 3 marlas of land in Baramulla's Wussan, Goshbugh Pattan, belonging to Kashmiri migrant Jawahar Lal Bhat. A complainant reportedly paid over ₹1 crore for the land but received neither possession nor a refund.
Who are the five accused named in the chargesheet?
The five accused are Brij Nath (Jammu), Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar (Budgam), Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh (Budgam), Zahoor Ahmed Dar (Pattan), and Reyaz Ahmad Rather (Pattan, Baramulla). Brij Nath allegedly used multiple aliases and remains in Central Jail.
Is this the first chargesheet in this case?
This chargesheet relates to FIR No. 34/2017 and is the second filed against Brij Nath and Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh overall. The EOW had previously filed a chargesheet in August 2023 in a separate case — FIR No. 27/2021 — against the same two accused.
What methods did the accused allegedly use to commit the fraud?
According to investigators, the accused allegedly used impersonation, fabricated identity documents, and a fraudulent power of attorney to pose as rightful owners or authorised agents and execute the sale, thereby cheating the complainant of over ₹1 crore.
What precautions has the EOW advised for property buyers in Kashmir?
The SSP, EOW Kashmir, has publicly advised buyers to thoroughly verify land ownership records and property documents before entering into any transaction, particularly for properties owned by Kashmiri migrants, to avoid falling victim to similar frauds.
