SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against a resident of Uri, Baramulla in connection with an alleged livestock fraud case involving cheating through fake agreements and dishonoured cheques.
The chargesheet pertains to FIR No. 17/2023, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), against Muneer Ahmad Kataria, son of Noor-ud-Din Kataria, a resident of Uri Salamabad and presently residing at Shutrloo Rohama in Baramulla district, officials said.
According to investigators, the case stemmed from a written complaint alleging cheating and misappropriation of a large sum of money linked to the sale of livestock. The complainant, a cattle trader, claimed he was induced to supply cows and sheep after being assured that payments would be made under a Government ST Quota Scheme.
The investigation revealed that the trader supplied livestock worth several lakhs of rupees to the accused. While partial payments were initially made to gain the complainant’s trust, the accused later issued multiple cheques amounting to Rs 30 lakh, all of which were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds. Despite repeated assurances, the outstanding amount was never cleared, resulting in significant financial loss.
Officials said the probe further established that the accused allegedly followed a calculated modus operandi by executing misleading agreements and issuing fake and dishonoured cheques under the false pretext of procurement through a government welfare scheme, causing wrongful loss to the complainant and corresponding gain to himself.
On the basis of the evidence collected during the investigation, offences under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 RPC were found to be established, following which the chargesheet was presented before the competent court for judicial determination.
