Fake Government Livestock Scheme Exposed: Crime Branch Kashmir Chargesheets Accused, Lakhs Cheated
Fake Government Welfare Scheme Used to Dupe Livestock Trader Cheques Worth ₹30 Lakh Bounced
Srinagar, Dec 27: In a major crackdown on economic offences, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar, in a high-value livestock fraud case involving alleged cheating and forgery worth several lakhs of rupees.
According to an official statement, the chargesheet has been submitted in FIR No. 17/2023 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against accused Muneer Ahmad Kataria, son of Noor-ud-Din Kataria, resident of Uri Salamabad and presently residing at Shutrloo Rohama in Baramulla district.
The case stems from a written complaint alleging large-scale cheating and misappropriation of funds in connection with the sale of livestock. The complainant, a businessman engaged in the purchase and sale of cattle and sheep, alleged that he was induced to supply cows and sheep on the assurance that payments would be released under a Government Scheduled Tribe (ST) quota welfare scheme.
During the investigation, EOW Kashmir found that the complainant supplied livestock worth several lakhs to the accused. Initial partial payments were made to gain the complainant’s confidence. However, the accused later issued multiple cheques amounting to ₹30 lakh, all of which were dishonoured due to insufficient funds.
Despite repeated assurances, the remaining payment was never made, resulting in significant financial loss to the complainant. The probe further revealed that the accused followed a calculated modus operandi by executing misleading agreements and issuing fake and dishonoured cheques under the false pretext of procurement through a government welfare scheme.
The investigation concluded that the accused caused wrongful loss to the complainant while deriving wrongful gain for himself. Based on the evidence collected during the probe, offences under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 RPC have been fully established.
The chargesheet has now been presented before the competent court for judicial determination, the statement added.
