SRINAGAR: On January 17, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch in Kashmir moved formally against a former police employee after a written complaint alleged a years-long fraud built around false promises of government employment. The case was registered at the Police Station Economic Offences Wing in Srinagar following a preliminary inquiry that, officials said, found the allegations to be prima facie substantiated.
According to investigators, the accused systematically misled multiple victims by presenting himself as someone capable of securing official appointments. The assurances, complainants told the authorities, were accompanied by documents that appeared authentic enough to quiet doubts and justify repeated payments. By the time the matter reached the EOW, the alleged sums involved had grown substantial.
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The Mechanics of the Alleged Scheme
The complaints describe a methodical operation rather than a single act of deception. Officials say the accused issued counterfeit appointment orders and supplied forged documentation designed to mirror genuine government records. These included fabricated identity cards, licenses, and appointment letters, as well as falsified police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) verification reports.
Such documents, investigators believe, played a central role in sustaining the fraud. Each piece of paper reinforced the illusion of legitimacy, allowing the accused to extract further payments from victims who believed they were progressing through a formal recruitment process. The EOW has said that the deception was not incidental but systematic, relying on the appearance of official procedure.
Money, Promises, and False Certainty
In statements cited by the Kashmir News Service, complainants alleged that the accused amassed approximately ₹23 lakh by guaranteeing positions in government service. Payments were allegedly made in stages, often linked to milestones suggested by the accused — an “appointment order,” a “verification,” or an assurance that a posting was imminent.
For many victims, officials say, the promise of stable government employment outweighed early suspicions. The EOW’s inquiry suggests that the accused exploited this trust, using his prior association with the police to strengthen his claims and discourage scrutiny.
Charges and the Investigation Ahead
Having established grounds for prosecution, the EOW has registered a case under multiple provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code: Section 420 for cheating; Sections 467 and 468 for forgery and forgery for the purpose of cheating; and Section 471 for using forged documents as genuine. Officials described the charges as reflecting both the financial harm caused and the alleged misuse of forged state documents.
A comprehensive investigation is now underway. Authorities are examining the origin of the forged papers, tracing financial transactions, and identifying additional victims who may not yet have come forward
