Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 6: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir today filed a chargesheet against a “chronic offender” in a high-value Dubai export scam.
In a statement, the CBK said it has submitted a chargesheet in Case FIR No. 31/2023 under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC before the Court of the City Judge, Srinagar, against two accused individuals, including habitual offender Zahid Bashir Sofi alias Shagoo, S/o Bashir Ahmad, R/o House No. 2, Andrabi Colony, Narbal.
As both accused persons remain absconding, the chargesheet has been filed in absentia under Section 512 CrPC, it said.
The investigation, as per CBK, followed a written complaint alleging that Zahid Bashir Sofi “deceitfully induced the complainant to invest in a purported export business involving mutton, rice, and other goods destined for Dubai.”
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Shagoo, in alleged collusion with co-accused Javeed Ahmad Shah, reportedly executed a well-planned scheme, which included taking the complainant to Punjab to sign a forged agreement with “Mahabir Rice Mill”, Mahabir Solvent, Rice Market GT Road Karnal, and later escorting him to Dubai to create false credibility around the venture.
Based on these alleged misrepresentations, the complainant invested Rs 34,74,600, which the investigation found had been misappropriated, CBK said.
The probe established the use of forged documents, fabricated agreements, and deliberate inducement, leading to the establishment of offences punishable under Sections 420 and 120-B RPC.
The chargesheet has accordingly been submitted for judicial determination.
According to the CBK, Zahid Bashir Shagoo and his wife, Shugufta, have previously been found involved in multiple fraud cases, including FIR No. 21/2022 and FIR No. 13/2018, both related to the alleged fraudulent extraction of money on the pretext of providing gas agencies.
As per the CBK, chargesheets in those cases were also filed before the competent courts in absentia under Section 512 CrPC after the couple evaded arrest.
The CBK said Shagoo’s repeated involvement in high-value fraud cases reflects a persistent pattern of alleged criminal conduct that has caused substantial financial losses to victims.
“His continued evasion of law enforcement also remains a serious concern,” it added.
The CBK has urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the accused “chronic habitual offender” Zahid Bashir Shagoo to contact the investigating agency, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
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