Srinagar, Nov 13: The Special Crime Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in case FIR No. 19/2023 under Sections 419, 420, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against two accused persons before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kulgam, officials said.

In a statement, a CBK spokesperson said that the case originated from a written complaint wherein the complainants alleged that the accused persons had deceitfully cheated them on the pretext of providing government jobs in exchange for large sums of money. Acting upon the complaint, a formal preliminary enquiry was initiated at Police Station Special Crime Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir).

During the course of investigation, its prima facie surfaced that the accused individuals had dishonestly induced the complainants by promising them employment in government departments, thereby grabbing their hard-earned money through fraudulent means. Further investigation revealed that one of the accused had also impersonated himself as a Kashmiri migrant to gain the confidence of the victims and facilitate the commission of the offence.

On the basis of the evidence gathered, offences punishable under Sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) RPC were established against the accused. Consequently, the chargesheet was produced before the Hon’ble Court of Law for judicial determination.

The Crime Branch Kashmir reiterates its commitment to ensuring that such fraudsters are brought to justice and urges the public to remain cautious of fraudulent job rackets and to report any such instances to law enforcement agencies promptly.

Srinagar, Nov 13: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has recorded the coldest night of season at minus 2.1 degree Celcius.

Details shared by the Meteorological (MeT) Department reveals that Pahalgam, was the coldest in Kashmir valley where the mercury settled at minus 3.8 degree Celcius.

Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmadsaid that there is no forecast of any wet spell for the next one week, but the night temperature would remain almost unchanged till November 17.

He said that there is a possibility of slight improvement in the night temperature after Nov 17 for two-three days—(KNO)

Srinagar, Nov 12: In a significant development, the ongoing investigation into the pasting of posters of the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) in the Nowgam area of Srinagar and the Magam area of Budgam has been formally handed over to the State Investigation Agency (SIA) for further probe.

The cases were earlier registered at Police Station Nowgam, Srinagar, and Magam, Budgam.

A senior Police official said that the formal order transferring the cases to the SIA was issued on Tuesday evening.

“The cases have been handed over to the SIA for further thorough investigation,” the official said.

Following the handover, the SIA has registered two fresh cases vide FIR Nos 2 and 3, to pursue the investigation under relevant sections of law.

These FIRs are expected to cover various aspects of the case, including the terror links, funding sources, and possible involvement of other individuals.

According to sources, the transfer to the SIA comes after preliminary findings by the local Police suggested that the case might have inter-state or cross-border implications.

The SIA, which specialises in handling sensitive and complex cases related to terrorism and national security, is expected to use advanced investigation techniques to trace the network and determine the extent of the activities.

Pulwama, Nov 12: Hidden amid apple orchards and narrow lanes of Shadimarg village, about 10 kilometres from Pulwama town, stands a 400-year-old Mughal-era Masjid, a relic of Kashmir’s architectural heritage now struggling to survive after decades of neglect.

Built of deodar wood, stone and mud, the Masjid is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, when Pulwama served as a resting point for imperial caravans moving between Srinagar and Shopian. The adjoining Mughal sarai (travellers’ inn) once sheltered merchants and soldiers, but like the Masjid, it too has fallen into ruin.

Over the years, harsh winters, moisture seepage and lack of upkeep have taken a severe toll. The once-solid walls are now deeply cracked, wooden beams have decayed, and portions of the roof have caved in, forcing villagers to stop offering regular prayers there for safety reasons.

“Our elders say the Masjid was a place of learning and prayer for travellers during Mughal times,” said Khurshid Ahmad Mir, a resident. “We tried to repair parts of the roof with our own funds several times, but it was only a temporary solution. The structure needed proper restoration.”

After years of local representations to the administration, the government has sanctioned Rs 22 lakh for its restoration. Officials said tendering has been completed and work will begin shortly under the supervision of the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, in coordination with the local Auqaf Committee.

“Tendering has been done, and the restoration work will start soon,” said Ghulam Mohidin Mir, MLA Rajpora, who played a key role in pursuing the case. “Both the Masjid and the adjoining sarai will be restored to preserve their historical and cultural significance.”

The restoration aims to retain the original Mughal architectural elements — including carved wooden beams, arched windows, and the central mihrab — while strengthening the structure with locally sourced timber and lime plaster.

For the villagers, the move comes as a huge relief and a matter of pride. “It’s more than just a place of worship. It connects us to our roots and to centuries of our history,” said Javed Ahmad, pointing to the fading motifs on the Masjid’s façade. “We hope this effort will revive the identity of Shadimarg as a heritage village.”

Locals say once restored, the Masjid could attract heritage tourists and scholars, offering Pulwama a place on Kashmir’s cultural map beyond its orchards and saffron fields.

“The Masjid has witnessed empires rise and fall,” said an elderly villager. “It deserves to stand for another 400 years — this time with care.”