Srinagar, Dec 2, KDC: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against two accused who allegedly duped a man of ₹38 lakh on the pretext of arranging a gas agency licence.
CBK in a statement according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) said, the chargesheet in FIR No. 21/2022 has been filed under Sections 420, 421, 467, 468, and 120-B RPC against Zahid Bashir Shagoo, son of Bashir Ahmad Shagoo, and his wife Shugufta, both residents of Koker Bazar, Srinagar, currently living in Indrabi Colony, Narbal, Budgam. The case has been submitted before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam.
The case originated from a complaint alleging that Zahid Bashir Shagoo fraudulently promised to secure a gas agency licence in exchange for ₹38 lakh. The complainant later received forged documents falsely presented as genuine licences. Following this, Crime Branch Kashmir initiated a Preliminary Verification.
During the enquiry, it was found that Zahid, in criminal conspiracy with his wife, had collected lakhs of rupees by promising a gas agency and extension counters, subsequently issuing forged documents. Offences under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471, and 120-B RPC were established.
The investigation confirmed the couple’s involvement, leading to the filing of the chargesheet in absentia under Section 512 CrPC, as both accused are currently absconding.
Notably, the duo had earlier been chargesheeted in a similar case — FIR No. 13/2018 of Crime Branch Kashmir — indicating a repeated pattern of fraud. Another case, FIR No. 31/2023, is also under investigation against Zahid Bashir Shagoo at the Economic Offences Wing.
The Crime Branch Kashmir reiterated its firm commitment to combating cheating, fraud, and economic offences, stressing its resolve to uphold public trust and ensure accountability. (KDC)