SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu Kashmir has arrested a man who had allegedly remained absconding for several years in connection with five cases involving alleged cheating, forgery and land-related fraud.
The accused, identified as Soom Nath Koul, son of Kalash Nath Koul, a resident of 22-Lotus Tower, Bangalore North, Karnataka, and presently residing at Janipur, Jammu, was arrested in compliance with orders of the Sub-Judge, Srinagar, the EOW said.
The agency said a special team was constituted to execute the court orders and traced the accused after sustained efforts and following due procedure. Hue and cry notices had also been issued and published periodically to trace him.
According to the EOW, the accused allegedly used different identities, including Soom Nath Koul, Brij Nath Bhat, Mohan Lal Dhar and Hadi Nath Dhar, while carrying out land transactions.
The five cases registered against him relate to allegations of cheating, forgery and fraud involving migrant properties through purportedly fake Powers of Attorney and agreements to sell. In one case, a chargesheet was filed against him in absentia under Section 512 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The investigation has alleged that Koul induced people to purchase land by representing himself under different identities and cheated them in connection with land deals. The agency said the alleged fraud involved crores of rupees and was carried out in connivance with other accused persons.
The EOW also said Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar and a resident of Jawalapora, Samson, Budgam, was arrested last week after he was allegedly found involved in the same case.
The arrest of Koul, also known as Brij Nath Bhat, Hadi Nath Dhar and Mohan Lal Dhar, is part of the ongoing investigation. Further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the alleged financial fraud, identify the land transactions involved and establish the role of other persons allegedly connected with the cases.
The EOW has urged the public to remain vigilant against economic fraud and said complaints can be submitted to SSP EOW Srinagar, Crime Branch J&K, Abdul Waheed Shah, or through the official email address [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
