Srinagar, Dec 6(KNS): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir on Thursday filed a chargesheet in FIR No. 31/2023 against two accused persons, including alleged repeat offender Zahid Bashir Sofi alias Shagoo, in connection with a high-value Dubai export scam.

The chargesheet, filed before the Court of City Judge Srinagar under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC, has been submitted in absentia under Section 512 CrPC as both accused remain at large.

According to EOW, the inquiry revealed that the complainant was deceitfully lured to invest in an export business of mutton, rice and other goods to Dubai.

Investigators said Shagoo, along with co-accused Javeed Ahmad Shah, took the complainant to Punjab to sign a forged agreement with “Mahabir Rice Mill / Mahabir Solvent, Rice Market GT Road Karnal” and later escorted him to Dubai to build credibility around the alleged venture. The complainant invested ?34,74,600, which was allegedly misappropriated.

The investigation found the use of forged documents, fabricated agreements and deliberate inducement with the intention of cheating, leading to the establishment of offences under law.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

EOW said Shagoo and his wife are already involved in two earlier fraud cases — FIR No. 21/2022 and FIR No. 13/2018 related to illegal extraction of money on the pretext of providing gas agencies. Chargesheets in those cases were also filed in absentia after the accused evaded arrest.

Officials said Shagoo’s continued involvement in multiple fraud cases has caused significant financial losses to victims and his persistent evasion remains a matter of serious concern.

Crime Branch has appealed to the public to share information regarding the whereabouts of Zahid Bashir Sofi alias Shagoo. The identity of the source, it said, will be kept confidential.(KNS).