JAMMU, Jul 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Jammu, has filed chargesheets in two separate high-profile fraud cases involving an investment scam and the fraudulent procurement of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs), following the completion of detailed investigations. The chargesheets have been presented before the competent courts for judicial determination.
In the first case, the Economic Offences Wing filed a chargesheet against five accused in connection with an alleged investment fraud involving M/s Gold Sukh Trade India Ltd., Jaipur. The company is accused of luring investors by promising exorbitant returns on their investments and later misappropriating the deposited funds.
The case pertains to FIR No. 306/2011 registered under Sections 420, 406 and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) at Police Station Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, on the basis of a complaint filed by Ashish Sharma. The complainant alleged that he was induced to invest Rs 1,20,480 after being assured of unusually high returns by the company and its local representatives. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for an in-depth probe.
Investigators found that several investors had collectively invested nearly Rs 30.29 lakh in various schemes floated by the company after being misled by false assurances of extraordinary financial returns. During the investigation, it also emerged that although the company was incorporated in Rajasthan, it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), or the Registrar of Companies in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on oral testimonies, documentary evidence and banking records, the Crime Branch filed a chargesheet against Manvendra Partap Singh Chouhan, Bablu Sharma, Mahendra Kumar Nirwan, Neeraj Kant Sharma and Vinod Kundal before the Court of the 13th FC Special Mobile Magistrate, Jammu.
In the second case, the Economic Offences Wing unearthed an alleged conspiracy involving the fraudulent procurement of Permanent Resident Certificates through forged revenue records. The case relates to FIR No. 52/2016, registered under Sections 465, 467, 468 and 120-B RPC read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act on the complaint of Surat Singh.
The investigation revealed that Sarup Singh, Bishamber Singh, Purab Singh and Suraj Singh, in conspiracy with the then Patwari Rashpal Singh, fraudulently obtained PRCs by using forged Nakal Shajra Nasab and Nakal Jamabandi. A forensic examination conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) confirmed that the questioned revenue documents had been prepared by the then Patwari and did not match the official revenue records. The chargesheet has been filed before the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu.
A senior Crime Branch official said the successful completion of both investigations reflects the agency’s commitment to tackling financial crimes and document-related fraud. “The Crime Branch is committed to ensuring that those involved in economic offences and fraudulent activities are brought to justice. We appeal to the public to remain vigilant against investment scams and the use of forged documents, and to report any such incidents promptly so that timely legal action can be initiated,” the official said.
The Crime Branch has advised citizens to exercise caution while investing in schemes offering unrealistic returns and to verify the authenticity of documents before entering into property transactions. Victims of economic fraud have been urged to report such cases to the SSP, Crime Branch (EOW), Jammu, or submit complaints through the designated email and helpline to facilitate prompt investigation and legal action.