Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar:DD, Bringing an end to a prolonged chase, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir arrested Ashiq Ali, a former Patwari accused in a major graft and forgery case. The accused, on the run since July, was tracked down and taken into custody after sustained surveillance and intelligence efforts by the investigating team.
Spokesperson in a statement issued here reads, The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has arrested Ashiq Ali, son of Ghulam Rasool Khan, resident of Panner Jagir, presently residing at Hawal, Srinagar.
Statement reads, The accused, who served as Patwari, Balhama Srinagar, was wanted in connection with FIR No. 14/2025 registered under Sections 167, 420, 120-B RPC read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case pertains to offences of corruption, cheating, false mutations, and wrongful insertions in revenue records, it reads.
Following a thorough investigation and based on concrete evidence, the FIR was registered on 09.07.2025 against six accused persons, including a Tehsildar, it reads.
Five of them have already been arrested in the matter. Despite sustained efforts, Ashiq Ali had been evading arrest since the registration of the case. However, acting on specific intelligence, a special team of the Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) successfully apprehended the accused today, it reads.
It is pertinent to mention that the bail application of the accused had already been rejected by the Court, it reads.
The Crime Branch Kashmir reiterates its commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in public administration and continue its drive against corruption and economic offences in the Union Territory, statement reads. (KNC)