Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 5: Police in Shopian today arrested a “conman” for allegedly duping an individual by falsely promising to secure the release of his brother from police custody.
According to the authorities, Police Station Shopian received a complaint on January 4, 2026, through WhatsApp from Asif Ahmad Parrah, son of Mohammad Maqbool Parrah, a resident of Humhuna, Zainapora.
The complainant alleged that the accused, identified as Sajad Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat of Mundoora, Tral, fraudulently took Rs 5.40 lakh from him by assuring the release of his brother.
“The complainant’s brother, Umer Maqbool, had been lawfully arrested in connection with FIR No. 108/2025 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act, registered at Police Station Zainapora,” authorities said.
They added that the accused took advantage of the situation by falsely claiming to be a Government employee and asserting that he had sufficient influence to arrange the release.
“On this false pretext, he cheated the complainant and fraudulently obtained the said amount,” the police said.
Following the complaint, Police Station Shopian registered E-FIR No. 03/2026 under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the investigation, Rs 1.50 lakh has been recovered from the accused so far.
“The accused has been taken into custody, and efforts are underway to recover the remaining amount. Further investigation into the case is in progress,” authorities said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
