Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against a Hazratbal resident for allegedly impersonating a CID officer and cheating people on the pretext of securing government favours, including transfers and appointments of employees.
The chargesheet in case FIR No. 24/2023, registered under Sections 420 and 468 of the IPC, has been filed before the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar, against Ghulam Hassan Dar, son of Mohammad Yousuf Dar, resident of Dhobi Ghat, Hazratbal.
According to the investigation, the case originated from a written complaint alleging that Dar posed as a CID officer posted in Delhi and fraudulently induced people by promising to arrange government-related favours.
The accused allegedly assured the transfer of a Railway Department employee from Uttarakhand to Srinagar. He also promised to secure an appointment as a Nursing Orderly in the Health Department and allegedly handed over fake appointment orders and a forged deputation letter to the victim. The Crime Branch said he had cheated the victims of lakhs of rupees.
The EOW said the allegations were substantiated during the investigation, which was concluded as proved. The chargesheet has been filed in absentia under Section 512 CrPC because the accused is absconding, leaving the matter for judicial determination.
Cases of impersonation and promises of jobs or transfers are a recurring concern in the Union Territory, where government employment is highly sought after and many families are willing to pay large sums to secure it. Fraudsters often exploit this by posing as officials, using fake documents and offering access to supposed influence. Authorities have repeatedly advised the public to verify appointment letters through the concerned departments and to avoid paying money to middlemen.
Filing a chargesheet in absentia under Section 512 of the CrPC allows evidence to be recorded and the process to move forward even when the accused is absconding. It does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the matter now rests with the court, which will decide on the evidence. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with law.
The Crime Branch has not said whether efforts are continuing to trace Dar, though absconding accused in such cases are typically subject to proclamation and attachment proceedings. Anyone who believes they have been defrauded in a similar manner has been encouraged to approach the police or the EOW.
