Srinagar, Aug 29 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against two notorious fraudsters, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Nowgam Srinagar, and Shabir Ahmad Wani, son of Mohammad Ismail Wani, a resident of Lasjan Srinagar, in connection with a land fraud case involving forged revenue documents, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.
According to officials, the first FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint filed by a woman who alleged that accused Riyaz Ahmad Bhat sold her a piece of land measuring 1 kanal and 5 marlas situated at Moza Balhama (Survey No. 312 Min, Khewat No. 27, Khata No. 200) against a payment of ₹25 lakh. However, despite receiving the payment, the accused failed to hand over the land and later sold the same property to another person. Cheques issued by the accused as repayment were also dishonoured.
In another case, Crime Branch Kashmir registered an FIR based on a separate complaint wherein it was alleged that Riyaz Ahmad Bhat and Shabir Ahmad Wani, in connivance with revenue officials, fraudulently sold a patch of land measuring 1 kanal and 10 marlas at Balhama, Patha Chowk Srinagar (Survey No. 1683/315 Min, Khewat No. 45, Khata No. 317) against a payment of ₹73 lakh. A registered sale deed was executed in favour of the complainant, but the accused later fabricated revenue records and sold the same land to someone else, thereby embezzling the entire amount.
Crime Branch sources confirmed that both accused have a history of fraudulent activities and were previously arrested in connection with FIR No. 14/2025 for similar offences.
An official spokesperson of the Crime Branch said that a thorough investigation has been launched into both cases and that any involvement of revenue officials or third parties will be strictly dealt with as per law. Further action will follow based on the outcome of the investigation.
