J&K Police arrest Health Dept employee for forgery, illegal appointments
Synopsis
A Srinagar-based Senior Assistant in J&K's Health Department has been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir in a forgery and illegal appointment case dating back to 2017. Investigators say the accused helped facilitate fraudulent entry into government service using forged documents, causing wrongful loss to the state exchequer — and is allegedly a habitual offender with links to multiple similar cases.
Key Takeaways
Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir , a Senior Assistant in the J&K Health Department , was arrested on 5 May 2025 by the EOW Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K.
The arrest relates to FIR No.
19/2017 under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code.
The fraud involved forged transfer orders and a fabricated Last Pay Certificate used to secure an illegal government appointment at Block Sheeri, Baramulla .
The primary beneficiary of the fraud was Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Mazhama, Budgam , who allegedly obtained a Health Educator post through forged documents.
Mir is described as a habitual offender with alleged involvement in multiple similar cases under investigation or already charge-sheeted.
Investigation is ongoing to identify the full extent of the fraud and other possible links.
The Jammu & Kashmir Police's Crime Branch on Tuesday, 5 May arrested a Health Department employee in connection with a long-pending fraud case involving alleged forgery and illegal appointments in Srinagar. The arrest was made under FIR No. 19/2017, registered at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir, now designated as the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir.
Who Was Arrested
The accused has been identified as Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a Senior Assistant in the Health Department and a resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar. According to officials, Mir has been described as a habitual offender, with alleged involvement in multiple similar cases that are either under investigation or have already been charge-sheeted.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
The case originated from a communication received from the Deputy Director of Health Services, Kashmir, which flagged that one Bashir Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Mazhama, Budgam, had allegedly secured his appointment as a Health Educator through fraudulent means. According to the communication, the appointment was obtained by producing forged transfer orders along with a fabricated Last Pay Certificate.
Investigations revealed that Sofi had illegally entered government service at Block Sheeri in Baramulla and subsequently drew a salary from the state, resulting in what officials described as a wrongful loss to the state exchequer. During the course of the investigation, Mir's role surfaced in allegedly facilitating or being linked to the fraudulent process.
Charges Filed
The FIR was registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code — provisions that cover cheating, forgery of valuable security, forgery for the purpose of cheating, and using forged documents as genuine, respectively. The arrest was carried out by the EOW Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The case has cast a spotlight on alleged irregularities in appointment procedures and document verification within the J&K Health Department, prompting further scrutiny by investigative agencies. This comes amid ongoing efforts by J&K authorities to tighten accountability in government recruitment processes. Officials confirmed that the investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the fraud and identify any additional links or accomplices. The Crime Branch, the specialised investigation wing of the J&K Police, handles such complex cases where dedicated teams of investigators are deployed. Further developments in the case are expected as the probe progresses.
Point of View
The EOW's investigation could expose a wider network of facilitated illegal appointments that has quietly drained the state exchequer for years. The real accountability test is whether the probe reaches those who signed off on appointments without adequate verification.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by J&K Police's Crime Branch in the forgery case?
Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a Senior Assistant in the J&K Health Department and resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar, was arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir on 5 May 2025. He is accused of facilitating fraudulent government appointments through forged documents.
What was the nature of the fraud in this J&K Health Department case?
The fraud involved forged transfer orders and a fabricated Last Pay Certificate used to illegally secure a Health Educator appointment for Bashir Ahmad Sofi at Block Sheeri in Baramulla. The accused drew a salary from the state, causing wrongful loss to the exchequer.
Under which sections was the FIR registered in this forgery case?
The FIR (No. 19/2017) was registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir, now designated as EOW Kashmir. These sections cover cheating, forgery, and using forged documents as genuine.
Is Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir linked to other fraud cases?
Yes, officials described Mir as a habitual offender allegedly involved in multiple similar cases that are either under investigation or have already been charge-sheeted by the Crime Branch.
What happens next in the J&K Health Department forgery investigation?
Officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the fraud and identify other possible links or accomplices. Further scrutiny of appointment procedures and document verification within the department is also underway.
