Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir on Wednesday launched multiple raids across Bandipora and Budgam districts in connection with a multi-crore land compensation scam linked to the 400 KV DC Samba-Amargrah Transmission Line project.
According to an official statement, the case was initiated after complaints surfaced alleging that compensation meant for landowners in villages Watrad, Dalabal, and Kachwari (Tehsil Khansahib, Budgam) was fraudulently disbursed to non-existent individuals. Meanwhile, the rightful landowners were left uncompensated.
Preliminary investigations revealed that crores of rupees were siphoned off in the names of fake beneficiaries using forged bank accounts. The scam reportedly involved employees of Unitac Power Transmission Limited, who were allegedly working in collusion with land brokers and certain bank officials.
Those under the scanner include Mushtaq Ahmad Lone of Watrad Dalabal (Budgam), Bilal Ahmad of Patushai Watpora (Bandipora), and Ranjit Singh and Samaliya Kumar, both employees of Unitac Power Transmission Limited, among others.
The accused are facing charges under multiple sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), including 409 (criminal breach of trust), 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating), 467 & 468 (forgery), 471 (use of forged documents), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).
The Crime Branch confirmed that further searches are ongoing at various locations as part of the continuing investigation.
