Srinagar, August 19(KNB): The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir today arrested a serving Patwari, Khursheed Ahmad Bhat, for his alleged lead role in a multi-crore land scam in Ganderbal.
The case involves the fraudulent sale of a 7-kanal, 2-marla plot of land in Mouza Nuner. According to investigators, Bhat and his accomplices allegedly impersonated the rightful owners to execute a fake sale agreement with a complainant. The property, valued at ₹2.76 crore, actually belongs to a migrant Kashmiri Pandit and was being managed by a third party through a power of attorney.
The victim had already paid ₹1.19 crore to the accused before the deception was uncovered. The Crime Branch stated that a preliminary investigation has established a criminal conspiracy involving impersonation and forged documents. A case has been registered under IPC sections 420 (Cheating), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (Using a forged document as genuine), and 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy). Further investigation is currently underway