Srinagar, Apr 9 : Police in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday foiled a major land fraud attempt in Kunzer area and arrested seven persons for allegedly impersonating revenue officials and cheating a buyer, officials said.
They said the accused posed as land brokers and government officials to falsely claim ownership of a piece of land at Wussan Kunzer and attempted to sell it to an unsuspecting buyer.
One of the accused impersonated a patwari while others posed as revenue officials and associates of the purported landowner to lend credibility to the deal, police said, adding that timely verification exposed the conspiracy.
The complainant, identified as Abdul Ahad Malik of Shalteng, had already paid Rs 4 lakh in cash and Rs 10,000 through bank transfer and was being persuaded to arrange another Rs 20 lakh before police intervened, they said.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ghulam Mohammad Wani of Pulwama, Masood Ahmad Wani of Srinagar, Mohammad Yousuf Wani of Kunzer, Mohammad Abdullah Mir of Sonawari, Bilal Parray of Markundal, Fayaz Ahmad Khanday of Srinagar and Riyaz Ahmad Mir of Ganderbal.
Police said forged revenue documents related to around 13.5 kanals of land at Wussan Bangil were recovered and seized during the operation.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station Kunzer and further investigation is underway to identify other accomplices and ascertain the full extent of the fraud, they added.
Police have advised the public to verify land documents and identities through official channels before entering into property transactions.(KNS)
