Srinagar, Oct 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has arrested Ashiq Ali, a former Patwari accused in a high-profile graft and forgery case, ending a prolonged manhunt. The accused had been evading arrest since July 2025.
A spokesperson confirmed that Ashiq Ali, son of Ghulam Rasool Khan and a resident of Panner Jagir, presently residing at Hawal, Srinagar, was apprehended following sustained surveillance and intelligence operations by the EOW team.
The accused, who served as Patwari in Balhama, Srinagar, was wanted in connection with FIR No. 14/2025, registered under Sections 167, 420, 120-B RPC read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case involves offences of corruption, cheating, false mutations, and wrongful insertions in revenue records.
According to officials, the FIR was filed on July 9, 2025, against six individuals, including a Tehsildar, based on thorough investigation and concrete evidence. Five of the accused had already been arrested, while Ashiq Ali had managed to evade law enforcement efforts until his capture today.
It is noteworthy that the accused’s bail application had previously been rejected by the Hon’ble Court.
The Crime Branch Kashmir reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public administration and pledged to continue its crackdown on corruption and economic offences in the Union Territory.