Srinagar, Feb 26: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Jammu and Kashmir, has registered a formal case against two individuals for their alleged role in a major J&K medical supply fraud case linked to procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials said the case was initiated following a written complaint accusing the two Srinagar residents hailing from Peerbagh and Sanat Nagar of impersonating delegates of the J&K Ministry and OSD Supplies to carry out fraudulent transactions.
According to the EOW statement, the accused allegedly used deceitful tactics to persuade government departments and institutions to transfer payments for medical goods into bank accounts that were fraudulently opened in the names of genuine suppliers. They are also accused of creating fake email IDs to misrepresent themselves as authorized representatives of legitimate vendors.
Preliminary verification revealed that the duo dishonestly secured ₹27 lakh from a government office. Investigators further found that they had allegedly planned to fraudulently withdraw an additional ₹2.24 crore from a government medical institution.
Based on prima facie evidence, offences under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with provisions of the Information Technology Act, have been invoked. Authorities have taken cognizance of the matter and launched a detailed investigation.
The J&K medical supply fraud case adds to a series of financial irregularities being probed in connection with pandemic-era procurements.