*EOW charges absconding duo in Rs 34.7 lakh Dubai export fraud case*

Srinagar, Dec 06 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a high-value export fraud case against two accused persons, including alleged habitual offender Zahid Bashir Sofi alias Shagoo, before the Court of the City Judge, Srinagar.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), it said that the chargesheet in FIR No. 31/2023 under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC has been submitted in absentia under Section 512 CrPC, as both accused continue to remain absconding.

According to the EOW, Shagoo and co-accused Javeed Ahmad Shah allegedly induced the complainant to invest in a purported export business involving mutton, rice and other goods to Dubai.

The probe found that the complainant was taken to Punjab to sign a forged agreement with “Mahabir Rice Mill, Mahabir Solvent, Rice Market GT Road Karnal” and later to Dubai to create false credibility around the venture, leading to an investment of rupees 34.74 lakh, which was allegedly misappropriated.

The Crime Branch said the case involved forged documents, fabricated agreements and deliberate inducement, establishing offences punishable under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC.

It also said that Zahid Bashir Shagoo and his wife are already named in earlier fraud cases — FIR No. 21/2022 and FIR No. 13/2018 — related to allegedly extracting money on the pretext of providing gas agencies.

Those chargesheets too were filed under Section 512 CrPC after the accused evaded arrest, it added.

The agency said Shagoo’s repeated involvement in multiple fraud cases reflects a pattern of persistent criminal conduct and his continued evasion remains a serious concern.

The Crime Branch has appealed to the public to share any information regarding the whereabouts of the absconding accused, assuring confidentiality of informants—(KNO)