CBK Files Chargesheet Against Absconding Couple in ₹38 Lakh Fraud Case
SRINAGAR, Dec 2: The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir (CBK) has filed a chargesheet against two absconding accused in a high-value cheating case involving the fraudulent promise of arranging a licence for a gas agency. The chargesheet, filed before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Budgam, marks a significant step forward in a case that has been under investigation for nearly two years.
According to CBK officials, the chargesheet in FIR No. 21/2022 has been filed against Zahid Bashir Shagoo, son of Bashir Ahmad Shagoo, and his wife Shugufta. Both originally hail from Koker Bazar, Srinagar, but are currently residing in Indrabi Colony, Narbal, Budgam. The couple has been declared absconders and the chargesheet has been submitted in absentia under Section 512 CrPC.
The case began after the CBK received a written complaint alleging that Zahid Bashir Shagoo had deceived a complainant by promising to secure an official licence for setting up a gas agency. Trusting the assurance, the complainant reportedly paid ₹38 lakh. However, instead of arranging the licence, the accused allegedly issued forged documents designed to look like genuine permits.
During preliminary verification, the CBK found the allegations credible, prompting a full investigation. The probe revealed that Zahid, in alleged criminal conspiracy with his wife, had extracted large sums of money under false pretences, even offering fake extension counters as part of the fraudulent deal. CBK officials said the couple had “intentionally defrauded” the complainant and used fabricated documents to sustain the deception.
The investigation established offences under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code. Officials said that the evidence collected during the inquiry clearly supported charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
In a notable development, the CBK also disclosed that both Zahid Bashir Shagoo and Shugufta had previously been charge-sheeted in another cheating case registered under FIR No. 13/2018, suggesting a pattern of repeated fraudulent activity. Additionally, a third case, FIR No. 31/2023, is under investigation against Zahid and is reportedly nearing completion.
The CBK stated that despite multiple attempts to trace the duo, they continue to remain at large. Their non-appearance led investigators to file the chargesheet in absentia, allowing the case to proceed in court.
