Srinagar, Dec 27: In a significant action against economic offence, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, in a high-value livestock fraud case involving alleged cheating and forgery amounting to several lakhs of rupees. The case exposes a calculated scam in which a businessman was allegedly duped under the guise of a government welfare quota scheme, highlighting the misuse of public trust and financial deception.
In a statement, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has submitted a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, in case FIR No. 17/2023 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against accused Muneer Ahmad Kataria S/o Noor-ud-Din Kataria R/o Uri Salamabad, A/P Shutrloo Rohama, District Baramulla.
The case originated from a written complaint alleging cheating and misappropriation of a huge amount of money in connection with the sale of livestock. The complainant alleged that he was induced to supply cows and sheep on the assurance of payment under a Government ST Quota Scheme. Acting on the complaint, a detailed probe was initiated by the Economic Offences Wing Kashmir and during investigation, it surfaced that the complainant, who is engaged in the business of purchase and sale of cattle and sheep, supplied livestock including cows and sheep worth lakhs, it reads.
Statement further reads, Partial payments were made initially to gain his confidence. Subsequently, the accused issued several cheques amounting to ₹30 lakh, all of which were dishonoured due to insufficient balance. Despite repeated assurances, the remaining payment was never made, causing substantial financial loss to the complainant.
The investigation further revealed that the accused adopted a calculated modus operandi by executing misleading agreements and issuing dishonoured and fake cheques on the false pretext of procurement under a Government welfare scheme, thereby causing wrongful loss to the complainant and wrongful gain to himself, it reads.
On the basis of evidence collected, offences under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 RPC stand fully established against accused Muneer Ahmad Kataria, and the chargesheet has been duly presented before the competent court for judicial determination, reads the statement.
