The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has submitted a chargesheet in a Rs 38 lakh cheating case before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, successfully exposing a major “gas agency fraud,” officials said on Tuesday.
In a statement, a CBK spokesperson said the Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) has filed a chargesheet in Case FIR No. 21/2022 under Sections 420, 421, 467, 468, and 120-B RPC against Zahid Bashir Shagoo, son of Bashir Ahmad Shagoo, resident of Koker Bazar, Srinagar, presently residing at House No. 2, Indrabi Colony, Narbal, District Budgam, and Shugufta, wife of Zahid Bashir Shagoo, resident of Koker Bazar, Srinagar, presently residing at House No. 2, Indrabi Colony, Narbal, District Budgam. The chargesheet has been submitted before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam.He said the case originated from a written complaint wherein it was alleged that accused Zahid Bashir Shagoo deceitfully promised to secure a licence for the establishment of a gas agency, for which the complainant paid an amount of ?38 lakh. It was further alleged that the accused later provided fabricated and forged documents purporting to be genuine licences. Accordingly, a Preliminary Verification was initiated by the Crime Branch Kashmir.
During the enquiry, the allegations were found to be prima facie established, revealing that the accused Zahid Bashir Shagoo, in criminal conspiracy with his wife Shugufta, grabbed lakhs of rupees from the complainant on the pretext of providing a gas agency along with extension counters. Thus they intentionally defrauded the complainant by issuing forged documents. Consequently, offences punishable under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471, and 120-B RPC were found to be made out, he added.
The spokesperson further stated that the subsequent investigation has reinforced the evidence of criminal conduct, leading to the formal filing of the chargesheet for judicial determination. However, as both accused persons are absconding, the chargesheet has been presented in absentia under Section 512 CrPC.
It is pertinent to mention that in a previous case (FIR No. 13/2018 under Sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B RPC of Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir), the accused duo had already been challaned, demonstrating a pattern of similar fraudulent activities. Furthermore, another case, FIR No. 31/2023, is under investigation against Zahid Bashir Shagoo at Police Station Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir. The investigation of the said case is at its final stage and is about to be concluded on merits.
The Crime Branch Kashmir reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring accountability, safeguarding public trust, and taking firm action against fraud, cheating, and economic offences in all forms.