The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed chargesheets against 10 accused in two separate cases involving economic offences and document forgery. The first case pertains to an alleged ₹30.29 lakh investment fraud, while the second concerns the fraudulent procurement of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) using forged revenue records to purchase land and obtain government employment. Both investigations were conducted by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch.
According to the Crime Branch, the investment fraud case was originally registered in 2011 after complainant Ashish Sharma lodged a written complaint at the Gandhi Nagar Police Station in Jammu. He alleged that M/s Gold Sukh Trade India Limited, a Rajasthan-based company, along with its local representatives, induced him to invest ₹1,20,480 by promising exceptionally high returns. Instead of delivering the promised benefits, the company allegedly misappropriated the invested funds. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch.
During the probe, investigators found that the complainant was not the only victim. Several other investors were allegedly persuaded to invest in the company’s schemes on the assurance of guaranteed and unusually high returns. The investigation revealed that the company had collected a total of ₹30.29 lakh from multiple investors. Officials further stated that although the company was incorporated in Rajasthan, it did not possess the necessary registration or authorisation from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), or the Registrar of Companies (RoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Based on the evidence collected, the Economic Offences Wing filed a chargesheet before the 13th Special Mobile Magistrate Court, Jammu, against company officials and representatives Manvendra Partap Singh Chouhan, Bablu Sharma, Mahendra Kumar Nirwan, Neeraj Kant Sharma, and Vinod Kundal. The court will now examine the evidence and proceed with judicial trial in accordance with the law.
The second case dates back to 2016, when complainant Surat Singh alleged that several individuals, in conspiracy with revenue officials, had fraudulently obtained Permanent Resident Certificates by using forged revenue records. According to the complaint, these certificates were subsequently used to purchase land and obtain government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.
The investigation revealed that Sarup Singh, Bishamber Singh, Purab Singh, and Suraj Singh, in alleged conspiracy with then Patwari Rashpal Singh, prepared forged revenue documents to secure the certificates. The seized records were subjected to forensic examination, which confirmed that the documents did not match official government records and contained significant irregularities. Investigators also stated that the forensic analysis established that the forged revenue papers had been prepared by the then Patwari and were not genuine government documents.
Following the investigation, the Economic Offences Wing filed a chargesheet against Sarup Singh, Bishamber Singh, Purab Singh, Suraj Singh, and Rashpal Singh before the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu, for judicial determination under the relevant provisions of law.
The Crime Branch stated that both prosecutions are supported by extensive documentary evidence, financial transaction analysis, witness statements, and forensic reports collected during the investigations. The courts will now decide whether to take cognisance of the chargesheets, frame charges against the accused, and proceed with the trial. Officials believe that the action represents a significant step towards tackling investment fraud, financial crimes, and the misuse of government records for obtaining unlawful benefits.
