Srinagar, Aug 2: The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir on Saturday arrested a man from Anantnag district for allegedly defrauding several individuals of crores of rupees under the pretext of supplying high-density apple plants.
The accused, identified as Shahid Rehman Bhat, a resident of Shangus, Nowgam, and proprietor of M/s AR Trading Agri Services Pvt. Ltd, was taken into custody following multiple searches conducted in the district. His arrest is linked to FIR No. 16/2025, which was registered on July 21.
According to officials, Bhat received large sums of money from farmers and private individuals, promising delivery of high-density apple plants, a popular horticulture product in Kashmir. However, after collecting the payments, he failed to supply the plants and did not return the money. He then went into hiding, triggering a police hunt.
Several victims filed written complaints with the Crime Branch, which launched an investigation. Scrutiny of bank transaction records corroborated the claims of the complainants, confirming that crores of rupees were collected fraudulently.
Authorities said Bhat’s actions amount to offences punishable under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which pertains to cheating and dishonest inducement.
The accused had sought bail, but his application was rejected by the Hon’ble Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Anantnag, on August 2. [KNT]
