Srinagar, Mar 26: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K today conducted house searches at three locations in the districts of Srinagar and Budgam in connection with a COVID-era procurement fraud case, in which the accused persons fraudulently siphoned off huge amounts of money, including funds from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, officials said on Thursday.

They said the searches were caried out in connection with FIR No. 11/2026 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC, read with Section 66-D of the IT Act, at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar.

In a statement, a CBK spokesperson said that the case was initiated on the basis of a written complaint submitted by M/s Sanjay Trading Company, Najafgarh, New Delhi, through its proprietor, Sanjay Kumar Sahu. The complainant alleged that Emad Muzafar Makdoomi @ Imran Shah, S/o Muzaffar Iqbal Maqdoomi, R/o House No. 09, Bismillah Colony, Peerbagh, Srinagar, and Vikar Ahmad Bhat, S/o Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, R/o L.D Colony near Fire & Emergency, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, dishonestly induced the firm on the pretext of procuring medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement said that a preliminary probe revealed that the accused persons, through deceitful means, fraudulently obtained huge amounts, including funds from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag. They also attempted to siphon off crores of rupees from Government Medical College, Srinagar.

The accused individuals impersonated government officials, posing as delegates and OSD (Supplies), and issued fake allotment orders of various departments and institutions. They further created fake email IDs of the complainant firm and opened fraudulent bank accounts in its name to divert payments, it said.

On the basis of these findings, the spokesperson said, a formal case has been registered and the investigation has been set into motion.

He further said that the house searches conducted today are aimed at securing further evidence, including digital records and financial documents. Further investigation is underway.

Srinagar, Mar 25: On a day when whispers travelled faster than facts, fear translated into action across Kashmir.

From early morning, serpentine queues formed outside petrol pumps, LPG godowns, and fuel stations, as anxious residents rushed to stock up on essentials amid rumours of an impending lockdown – rumours the government has firmly denied.

At Nowshera, the scene was telling.

Vehicles lined up bumper-to-bumper, engines idling, drivers stepping out repeatedly to check the queue’s progress.

Some carried plastic cans and jerrycans, hoping to store extra fuel “just in case.”

“We heard about a possible lockdown late last night through social media and word of mouth. That’s why I came early morning to refill my car and even brought a can for extra petrol,” said Junaid Ahmad, standing beside his vehicle. “You never know what might happen. Even if it turns out to be false, at least we are prepared.”

The anxiety was not limited to motorists.

At several fuel stations, attendants struggled to manage the sudden surge.

“Since morning, we have not had a moment to breathe,” said a fuel station worker in Srinagar. “People are not just filling their tanks, they are asking for full tanks, extra storage, even arguing if we try to regulate supply. This kind of rush usually happens only during extreme situations.”

For many, the fear stemmed not from official announcements, but from uncertainty itself.

“There is confusion everywhere,” said Shabir Lone, another customer waiting in line. “Someone says lockdown is coming, someone says it’s fake. In such situations, people panic. We have families to look after. It’s better to be cautious than regret later.”

At LPG distribution centres, the rush was equally intense.

Women, elderly residents, and daily wage workers queued up, clutching booking slips and hoping to secure cylinders before stocks ran out.

“I had already booked my cylinder, but when I heard about the lockdown rumours, I came personally to ensure I get it today,” said Rafiqa Begum, a homemaker. “Cooking gas is essential. If that finishes, how will we manage at home?”

Another resident, Fayaz Ahmad, echoed the concern saying, “During past situations, supplies got delayed. That memory is still fresh. So people are reacting quickly now, maybe even overreacting, but it comes from experience.”

Distributors confirmed an unusual spike in demand.

“Normally, we handle a steady flow of bookings. Today, it’s overwhelming,” said an LPG dealer in Srinagar. “People are insisting on immediate delivery, some even requesting additional cylinders. We are trying to assure them that supplies are sufficient, but fear spreads faster than reassurance.”

Amid the chaos, the administration moved swiftly to calm nerves.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, categorically dismissed the speculations and urged people not to fall prey to misinformation.

“If anything like that happens, you will get information from the government. The Honourable Prime Minister is continuously addressing the country, and statements are also being issued by the government. There is no need to rely on unverified sources,” Garg said.

Appealing directly to the public, he said, “I would like to request everyone that we do not need any kind of panic. Stocks of essential commodities are being continuously monitored, their sufficiency is being ensured, and distribution is being maintained smoothly.”

Garg also issued a stern warning against rumour mongering saying, “If there is any such development, the government will inform you first. Those involved in spreading rumours will face strict action. I urge people to rely only on official handles for authentic information.”

On the broader situation, he reassured that normalcy prevails.

“The situation remains stable. Security reviews are a continuous process carried out jointly by the administration and police. Tourist destinations are open, and Kashmir is witnessing a significant influx of visitors, especially after the opening of the Tulip Garden,” he said.

Officials from oil marketing companies (OMCs) also stepped in to dispel fears, maintaining that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG in Kashmir.

“Supply lines are intact, and there is adequate stock to meet demand,” an OMC official said. “We appeal to people not to indulge in panic buying, as it creates unnecessary pressure on the system.”

Srinagar, Mar 25: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has suspended the sentence of a former Tehsildar who was awarded one- year jail following his conviction by a trial court here recently in a 2010 bribery case.

A Bench of Justice Rahul Bharti suspended the sentence of the retired revenue official, Muhammad Akram Khan while admitting his appeal against his conviction. Khan through senior advocate Bashir Ahmad Bashir had challenged the trial court’s decision with the contention that the same was “perverse”

The Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar had convicted Khan under the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) for accepting a bribe and sentenced him to one year’s simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 20,000.

An FIR was registered by the then Vigilance Organization Kashmir, now Anti-Corruption Bureau, in May 2010, following allegations that Khan demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 in connection with a land dispute. A trap was subsequently laid, and the amount was allegedly recovered from his residence, according to the prosecution. The Bench observed that a prima facie case was made out by the appellant in assailing his conviction under 161 RPC, pointing out “inherent gaps and contradictions” in the testimony of the complainant in the case.

Taking note of the senior counsel’s submissions, the Court admitted the appeal and issued notice to the government for its response to the plea by April 20. The Court suspended the sentence of khan, directing that he be released on bail upon furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 1 lakh each.

While the Court directed Khan to remain present on every date of hearing unless exempted and called for the trial court records for further examination, it also sought an explanation from the Superintendent of Central Jail, Srinagar, over alleged procedural lapses in the attestation of the appeal documents. “Before parting with this order, this Court directs the Superintendent, Central Jail Srinagar to explain as to how the signing of the memo of appeal has taken place before the Assistant, Superintendent Central Jail Srinagar, which nowhere bears any seal or stamp or, for that matter, any endorsement that the signing of the memo of appeal by the appellant (Khan), along with the affidavits and Vakalatnama, has taken place in his presence.”

Srinagar, Mar 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it has trapped and arrested a Naib Tehsildar posted in the Arwani area of Anantnag district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe in connection with a land inheritance mutation case.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Anti Corrupting Bureau received a written complaint to the effect that Naib Tehsildar Arwani namely Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat is demanding a bribe of Rs 1,00,000 from the complainant’s in-laws for inheritance mutation of land measuring 18 Kanals in the name of his wife, 03 sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law.

He said, the complainant chose not to pay bribe and instead approached Anti Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the said Naib Tehsildar as envisaged under law.

“On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which confirmed the demand by the said Govt. employee and accordingly Case FIR No. 01/2026 u/s 7 of P/C Act 1988 read with amendment Act-2018 was registered in P/S ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up,” said the spokesperson.

He said during the course of investigation a trap team was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat S/o Wali Mohd Bhat R/o Dangipora Sozeith Budgam posted as Naib Tehsildar Arwani Bijbehara Anantnag red handed while demanding and accepting bribe.

“He was arrested on spot and bribe amount was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.”

“Subsequently, search of residential house of the accused Govt. employee was carried out in presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigation of the instant case is going on,” said the spokesperson.