SRINAGAR, SEPT 18 (KNC): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has arrested an alleged fraudster in connection with a ₹93 lakh land and property cheating case, officials said.

The arrested accused has been identified as Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son of Abdul Khaliq Dar, a resident of Jawalapora, Samson Budgam. According to officials, Dar was wanted in connection with a number of criminal cases registered with the EOW/SCW Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K.

Officials said the arrest was carried out pursuant to an order and warrant issued by the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar. The accused had allegedly been evading arrest for around a year.

The case relates to a written complaint alleging that the accused, described as a land broker, cheated the complainant of approximately ₹93 lakh in connivance with co-accused Soom Nath Koul, son of Kalash Nath Koul, a resident of Lotus Tower, Bangalore North, Karnataka, with a Jammu address at Janipur.

The matter is being investigated under FIR No. 17/2026, registered at Police Station EOW Kashmir under Sections 318(4), 338, 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During the investigation, the Crime Branch allegedly found that the accused persons had represented themselves as owners or authorised attorney holders of migrant property and offered the complainant land and other property for sale.

The investigation has further alleged that the accused offered a purported sale of five kanals of migrant land in Drusu, Pulwama, along with 300 standing trees in Bijbehara, by allegedly using forged agreements and documents.

Investigators also found that a bank account allegedly used for transferring the cheated money was opened on the same day as the transaction, with officials suspecting that it was created specifically to facilitate the alleged fraud.

According to the Crime Branch, the accused persons allegedly targeted people by making false representations regarding the sale of migrant properties and inducing them to part with large sums of money.

The Crime Branch said a Hue and Cry Notice remains in force against the absconding co-accused, Soom Nath Koul.

Further investigation is underway to establish the complete extent of the alleged fraud, identify other persons who may have been involved and ascertain the financial transactions connected with the case.

The allegations are subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.(KNC)