EOW Kashmir Chargesheets Four in ₹2.50 Crore Shawl Fraud Case

Srinagar, Jul 23: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against four accused in connection with an alleged shawl fraud involving transactions worth over ₹2.50 crore. The chargesheet in FIR No. 55/2022, registered under Sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), has been submitted before the Court of the Sub Judge (Small Causes), Srinagar, following the completion of the investigation. The accused have been identified as Arshid Ahmad Shora alias Bilal, Firdous Ahmad Mir, Firdous Ahmad Bhat, and Aftab Ahmad Shah, all residents of Srinagar. According to the Crime Branch, the case stemmed from a complaint alleging that the accused, led by Arshid Ahmad Shora alias Bilal, induced the complainant to supply high-value shawls worth more than ₹2.50 crore by promising substantial financial returns. However, after taking possession of the consignment, the accused allegedly failed to make the agreed payments, causing significant financial losses. During the investigation, the EOW recovered 338 shawls valued at around ₹68 lakh, which were later returned to the complainant under the directions of the competent court. With the investigation completed, the Crime Branch has initiated judicial proceedings by filing the chargesheet before the court. The Crime Branch also urged the public to remain vigilant against financial frauds and economic offences. It advised citizens to promptly report any suspicious financial activities to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, and encouraged victims of such frauds to lodge complaints through the wing’s official email.