Jammu: Six persons, including a serving Sub-Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police, were today charge-sheeted in a high-profile case involving the sale of fake Kashmir blue sapphires.
These world-renowned blue sapphires are found in Kishtwar’s Padder Valley in the Jammu region. However, the police have cracked a case in which a group of cheaters attempted to fool a victim by falsely claiming that a portion of the sapphires belonged to the treasure of a Raja.
According to the investigation, Mohammed Taj Khan was selling fake Kashmir blue sapphires while claiming that they were part of the Raja of Jammu’s treasure. Khan was posing as the Raja of Jammu, while his accomplices acted as his agents in selling the so-called rare gemstones.
Following a complaint, the police investigation revealed a larger criminal conspiracy involving Mohammed Taj Khan, who was posing as the Raja of Jammu. His associates assisted him in duping Mir Firasath Ali Khan (victim) by presenting fake sapphires, part of it as a Raja’s treasure.
Police immediately swung into action and seized multiple fake gemstones and other forged articles from the possession of Mohammed Taj Khan, Mohammed Shafi, and Mohammed Maqbool during house searches.
During the investigation, police also identified and established properties acquired by the accused using the proceeds of crime.
Meanwhile, an application has been filed before the Railway Court Jammu under Section 107 BNSS for the attachment of properties purchased with the cheated amount, marking a shift towards a more victim-focused justice system.
The accused have been charged with duping a Hyderabad-based businessman of Rs 3 crore under the pretext of selling fake Kashmir blue sapphires. Police had recovered and restored Rs. 62 lakh to the complainant, Mir Firasath Ali Khan, who had fallen victim to the fraud.
The charge sheet has been produced against Mohammed Rayaz, resident of Gurdanbala, Rajouri, at present Chinor, Jammu; Mohammed Taj Khan, resident of Potha, Surankote, Poonch, at present Trikuta Nagar, Jammu; Showkat Hussain, resident of Gurdanbala, Rajouri; Mohammed Shafi, resident of Gatha, Bhaderwah, Doda, at present Bhatindi, Jammu; Kulwinder Singh, resident of Koulpur, Vijaypur, Samba, at present Model Town, Gangyal, Jammu, and Sub Inspector Mohammed Maqbool Dugga, resident of Srinagar, at present Upper Thather, Bantalab, Jammu.
A case was registered at Police Station Bahu Fort, and the investigation was carried out by SDPO City West Jammu, Dr Satish Bhardwaj, under the supervision of SP South Jammu, Ajay Sharma.DD