Revenue fraud case: Four arrested, three still absconding

Srinagar, Jul 28: The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir on Monday announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with a major corruption case involving cheating, false mutations, and fraudulent insertions in official revenue records. The case, registered under FIR No. 14/2025, has implicated seven individuals, including two revenue officials, for their alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy that defrauded landowners in both Srinagar and Budgam districts.
According to a statement issued by the Crime Branch Kashmir, a thorough investigation based on credible evidence led to the arrest of four of the seven accused. The case is being investigated under sections 167, 420, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with section 5(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Nowgam Srinagar; Mohammad Shafi Lone alias Shaff Cheeni, son of Abdul Ahad Lone, resident of Peerbagh Srinagar; Shahnawaz Ahmad Rather, son of Noor Mohammad Rather, resident of Padshahi Bagh Srinagar; and Shabir Ahmad Wani, son of Mohammad Ismail Wani, resident of Bagandar Lasjan.
The accused were reportedly part of an organised group that tampered with official land records, facilitating false ownership claims and illegal property transfers. Officials say the fraudulent activities caused significant financial loss and distress to innocent individuals, many of whom were unaware their property rights were being manipulated.
Among the three absconding accused is a serving Tehsildar, Ms. Nusrat Aziz, daughter of Abdul Aziz Lone, a resident of Gurez currently residing at Mehjoor Nagar in Srinagar. Notably, her bail plea was rejected by the Hon’ble Court of the Anti-Corruption Judge in Srinagar. She remains on the run and is also implicated in four other FIRs, two registered with the Crime Branch, Kashmir, and two with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Kashmir.
The other two accused who are evading arrest include Ashiq Ali, son of Ghulam Rasool Khan, a resident of Panner Jagir currently living in Hawal Srinagar, who served as the then Patwari of Balhama Srinagar; and Shamima Akhter, wife of Mohammad Shafi Lone, a resident of Gooripora Rawalpora.
Crime Branch officials confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused as per the law. The investigation continues, with authorities determined to dismantle the network and ensure accountability in what is being viewed as one of the more serious recent cases of systemic corruption in the revenue department. [KNT]