SRINAGAR: Pulwama Police have registered an FIR against a man accused of impersonating an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Pulwama, and allegedly defrauding a father-son duo of approximately Rs 28 lakh in connection with a land compensation dispute, following directions from the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Pulwama.
The case has been registered under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Haroon Rashid Bandh, a resident of Kachachkoot, Awantipora, according to the details provided. The case follows an order issued by CJM Muzamil Ahmad Wani on October 23, 2026, on an application filed by MuhammadYousuf Thoker and his son, Tariq Ahmad Thoker, residents of Frastabal, Pampore.
According to the complaint, the applicants alleged that Bandh falsely represented himself as the ADC, Pulwama, despite neither holding nor being authorised to exercise that official position. They alleged that he used the purported official identity to induce them to part with approximately ₹28 lakh through representations linked to land compensation and a property transaction.
The complaint states that a portion of Mohd Yousuf Thoker’s land at Gudoora, Pulwama, was acquired in connection with the construction or widening of National Highway-444, for which compensation became payable. The accused allegedly came into contact with the family during proceedings related to the acquisition and compensation and subsequently obtained the money through fraudulent representations, according to the application.
The court order also refers to an agreement to sell dated June 10, 2026, concerning the remaining land at Gudoora. The applicants alleged that they later discovered the purported misrepresentation and referred to a civil suit filed on July 4, 2026, which was pending before the Court of the Munsiff, Pulwama.
The applicants told the court that they had approached Police Station Pulwama and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, seeking registration of an FIR, but no case had been registered, prompting them to seek judicial intervention under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
In its October 23 order, the CJM noted that the police had not submitted a report or response despite being directed to do so. The court examined the application, affidavit, transaction-related material and WhatsApp conversations referred to by the applicants and observed that the material prima facie disclosed cognizable offences requiring a thorough investigation.
The court consequently directed the Station House Officer, Police Station Pulwama, to register an FIR under the relevant provisions of law and proceed with the investigation. Police have since registered FIR No. 214/2026 under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the BNS, according to the information provided. [KNT]
