10/09/2023
Crime Branch Jammu Unearths Stamp Papers Scam: 2 Advocates, Property Dealer, Stamp Papers Vendor Booked
Agencies 9/10/2023
JAMMU: Unearthing a major Stamps Paper Scam being operated by two advocates, three vendors in Jammu south sub district area, the Economics Offences Wing of Crime Branch Jammu on Saturday conducted searches at five places in R S Pura, Bishnah and Greater Kailash area in Jammu District.
FIR 89/23 has been registered under sections 409, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B IPC against Advocate Shashi Bala Sharma, resident of Chak Hasal Bishnah, Advocate Rajat Singh, his father Lakhbir Singh Lakha (Ex-man Typing Solution), both residents of Lane No 53 House No 1, Greater Kailash, Jammu, Arundev Singh Jamwal, property dealer, residing near Police Station Bishnah.
The CB teams have seized many documents and electronic gadgets including computers and laptops during the raids and these are being scrutinized, said a CB officer, adding that a written complaint was lodged by the complainants namely Anup Sadotra, his father Harshvardan Sharma, both resident of Kanhal Upper, Bishnah, Rohit Gupta, son of late Arun Kumar Gupta, resident of Lower Jalo Chak Tehsil Bahu, Jammu wherein they alleged that it is a matter of grave concern that has come to their knowledge, involving fraudulent activities within Tehsil Bishnah, causing substantial financial losses to the Revenue Department and consequently to the state exchequer.
The complaint stated that the accused persons activities appear to be deeply entrenched, leading to a severe impact on the revenue collection system of J&JK UT. The fraudulent activities include illegal issuance of agriculture certificates, which are essential documents in the purchase and sale of agricultural land. These certificates are being issued illegally, often to individuals with no genuine connection to agriculture.
Moreover, some certain unscrupulous individuals, possibly in association with employees of the Sub Registrar's Office, are fraudulently re-using stamp papers multiple times, the complaint stated.
After preliminary investigations, the CB states that this not only compromises the legal integrity of land transactions but also inflicts substantial financial losses on the revenue department and the state exchequer.
The modus operandi of this organized gang involves a network of individuals, including certain Revenue Department officials, property dealers, stamp paper vendors, commission agents, and other intermediaries. It is evident that these individuals are operating with a high degree of coordination, facilitating the issuance of agriculture certificates in exchange for substantial sum of money, thereby siphoning off state funds.
The FIR further discloses the suspicious roles played by two advocates namely Advocate Shashi Bala Sharma, resident of of Chak Hasal Bishnah, practising in the Bishnah Court and Advocate Rajat Singh, a resident of Lane No 53 House No 1, Greater Kailash, Jammu.
It is worth noting that through these two advocates, the majority of the Registries in which stamp papers are misused were executed in the Sub Registrar Office Jammu South. It appears that these advocates have been instrumental in facilitating these fraudulent activities.
Within this organized gang of fraudsters, a property dealer named Arundev Singh Jamwal, who is closely associated with Advocate Shashi Sharma, is believed to be managing the fraudulent operations, including association with the staff posted in the Sub District Registrar Jammu South office.
The FIR states that another key figure in this operation is Advocate Rajat Singh's father Lakhbir Singh Lakha, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind this fraud involving the Revenue Department. Lakhbir Singh Lakha (Ex-man Typing Solution) is a well-known stamp paper vendor.
Investigation of the case has been entrusted to for in-depth investigation to DySP Bhagwan Dass. No arrest has been made so far however the recovered documents are being scrutinized.
