Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday said they have conducted searches at multiple locations in Srinagar and Budgam in connection with a major fraud case involving alleged siphoning of huge funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of Crime Branch J&K, today conducted house searches at three different locations in the districts of Srinagar and Budgam in connection with FIR No. 11/2026 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC, read with Section 66-D of the IT Act, at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar.
He said the case was initiated on the basis of a written complaint submitted by M/s Sanjay Trading Company, Najafgarh, New Delhi, through its proprietor, Sanjay Kumar Sahu. The complainant alleged that Emad Muzafar Makdoomi @ Imran Shah, S/o Muzaffar Iqbal Maqdoomi, R/o House No. 09, Bismillah Colony, Peerbagh, Srinagar, and Vikar Ahmad Bhat, S/o Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, R/o L.D Colony near Fire & Emergency, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, dishonestly induced the firm on the pretext of procuring medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A preliminary probe revealed that the accused persons, through deceitful means, fraudulently obtained huge amounts, including funds from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag. They also attempted to siphon off crores of rupees from Government Medical College, Srinagar,” he said.
“The accused individuals impersonated government officials, posing as delegates and OSD (Supplies) and issued fake allotment orders of various departments and institutions,” said the spokesperson.
“They further created fake email IDs of the complainant firm and opened fraudulent bank accounts in its name to divert payments.”
He said, on the basis of these findings, a formal case has been registered and the investigation has been set into motion. The house searches conducted today are aimed at securing further evidence, including digital records and financial documents. Further investigation is underway.—(KNO)
