Srinagar: Police in Srinagar Thursday said they have cracked a multi-district cheating and stolen-gold racket operating across the Valley.
A police spokesperson said that they have arrested Asmat Jan alias Taboo, a woman wanted in multiple cases of cheating and fraud registered in Lal Bazar, Safakadal, Chadoora, Sopore, and Khrew (Awantipora). The accused had been evading arrest for a long time, frequently shifting locations between West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Jammu to avoid law enforcement.
Acting on specific intelligence, five police teams tracked and apprehended her from a hotel in Jalandhar (Punjab.
Police said the Gold Association of Kashmir Valley had earlier expressed serious concern over her repeated involvement in cheating goldsmiths and shopkeepers across the region.
During investigation, credible evidence surfaced establishing the involvement of a goldsmith and his associate who were knowingly engaged in receiving, transporting, and disposing of stolen gold supplied by the main accused. The arrested associates were identified as a goldsmith at Bohri kadal, Shameem Ahmad Sheikh, son of Sonaullah Sheikh of Iqbal Colony, Indira Nagar, and Basir Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Aziz Dar, resident of Nawakadal.
Police said Shiekh was arrested for knowingly purchasing stolen gold ornaments at undervalued rates and facilitating their concealment and circulation; while Dar was arrested for his role in transporting and clandestinely disposing of stolen gold, thereby aiding the illegal trade.
