Web of Deceit: Crime Branch Books Four for Rs 55 Lakh Plot Scam in Sainik Colony.
||Black and White Digital News||
||November 24,2024 ||
Jammu : A meticulously orchestrated land fraud in Jammu’s upscale Sainik Colony has come to light, with the Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police booking four individuals for duping a resident of Rs 55 lakh in a fictitious plot sale. The investigation, now entrusted to the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, has unveiled a tale of betrayal, forgery, and calculated deception.
The Fraudulent Transaction:
The complainant, Ajay Choudhary, a resident of Chak Hira Swankha in Samba district, lodged a complaint on August 20, 2020. He alleged that two accused, Bachan Lal and Satinder Singh, showcased Plot No. 535 in Sector-F of Sainik Colony as available for sale. During the negotiation, they introduced him to Gursagar Singh, who claimed to hold a binding payment agreement with one R.N. Sharma, purportedly the rightful owner of the plot.
To reinforce their claims, Gursagar Singh presented documents, including an alleged sale agreement and original ownership papers, and facilitated telephonic conversations with R.N. Sharma. Convinced of the transaction’s authenticity, Choudhary agreed to purchase the property and made an initial payment of Rs 3 lakh in cash as a token (‘Bayana’).
The Chain of Payments:
Soon after, Choudhary transferred Rs 48 lakh through RTGS to accounts provided by Gursagar Singh and R.N. Sharma, as part of the advance payment. Subsequently, at the accused’s behest, he transferred an additional Rs 7 lakh to expedite the registration process. To formalize the deal, Choudhary handed over signed Power of Attorney, Will, and Sale Agreement documents to the accused.
The Trap Unravels:
Despite repeated assurances, the accused failed to register the plot in Choudhary’s name. Instead, they continued to demand more payments, citing procedural delays. Growing suspicious, Choudhary approached the Sainik Colony Society, which confirmed his fears by revealing discrepancies in the ownership records.
Legal Action and Investigation:
A preliminary verification by the Crime Branch exposed a well-coordinated conspiracy among the accused to defraud Choudhary of his life savings. The accused—Gursagar Singh, son of Sohan Singh of Apna Vihar Kunjwani; Bachan Lal; Satinder Singh; and R.N. Sharma—now face charges under FIR No. 56/24, registered under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
The case has been assigned to SI Mohd Arshad for a thorough investigation. The authorities are scrutinizing bank transactions, verifying documents, and interrogating the accused to trace the misappropriated funds and uncover the full extent of the scam.
Impact and Awareness:
This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for due diligence in property transactions. Fraudsters continue to exploit loopholes and unsuspecting victims, often leveraging forged documents and false assurances. Law enforcement agencies have urged citizens to verify ownership records with relevant authorities before making any property-related payments.
As the investigation progresses, the Crime Branch aims to bring justice to the victim and set a deterrent precedent against such fraudulent activities. This incident not only highlights the vulnerabilities in the property market but also underscores the importance of robust legal mechanisms to safeguard the interests of genuine buyers.
