Srinagar, Dec 27: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, in a major livestock fraud case involving alleged cheating and forgery amounting to several lakhs of rupees, officials said on Friday.
According to a statement, the chargesheet has been submitted in FIR No. 17/2023 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against accused Muneer Ahmad Kataria, son of Noor-ud-Din Kataria, a resident of Uri Salamabad and presently residing at Shutrloo Rohama in Baramulla district.
The case originated from a written complaint alleging cheating and misappropriation of a huge sum of money in connection with the sale of livestock. The complainant, engaged in the business of purchase and sale of cattle and sheep, alleged that he was induced to supply cows and sheep on the assurance of payment under a Government ST Quota Scheme.
During the investigation, the EOW found that the complainant supplied livestock worth several lakhs. Partial payments were initially made to gain his confidence. Subsequently, the accused issued multiple cheques amounting to ₹30 lakh, all of which were dishonoured due to insufficient funds. Despite repeated assurances, the remaining payment was never made, resulting in substantial financial loss to the complainant.
The probe further revealed that the accused adopted a calculated modus operandi by executing misleading agreements and issuing fake and dishonoured cheques on the false pretext of procurement under a government welfare scheme, thereby causing wrongful loss to the complainant and wrongful gain to himself.
On the basis of evidence collected during the investigation, offences under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 RPC were found established against the accused, and the chargesheet has been presented before the competent court for judicial determination, the statement said. (KNC)
