Crime Branch Kashmir unearths COVID-era fraud; raids multiple locations in Srinagar, Budgam

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MARCH 26 (STC): In a major fraud case involving alleged siphoning of huge funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has conducted raids at multiple locations in Srinagar and Budgam, officials said today.

Giving details of the raids, the official spokesperson said, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, today conducted house searches at three different locations in the districts of Srinagar and Budgam in connection with FIR No. 11/2026 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC, read with Section 66-D of the IT Act, at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar.
The case was initiated on the basis of a written complaint submitted by M/s Sanjay Trading Company, Najafgarh, New Delhi, through its proprietor, Sanjay Kumar Sahu. The complainant alleged that Emad Muzafar Makdoomi @ Imran Shah, S/o Muzaffar Iqbal Maqdoomi, R/o House No. 09, Bismillah Colony, Peerbagh, Srinagar, and Vikar Ahmad Bhat, S/o Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, R/o L.D Colony near Fire & Emergency, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, dishonestly induced the firm on the pretext of procuring medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the spokesperson said.
“A preliminary probe revealed that the accused persons, through deceitful means, fraudulently obtained huge amounts, including funds from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag. They also attempted to siphon off crores of rupees from Government Medical College, Srinagar,” he said.
“The accused individuals impersonated government officials, posing as delegates and OSD (Supplies) and issued fake allotment orders of various departments and institutions,” said the spokesperson.
“They further created fake email IDs of the complainant firm and opened fraudulent bank accounts in its name to divert payments.”
Further investigation is underway.
(Straight Talk Communications)