Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir on Saturday conducted raids at multiple locations in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and arrested a trader accused of duping farmers of crores of rupees.
The accused, identified as Shahid Rehman Bhat, son of Ab. Rehman Bhat and a resident of Shangus, Nowgam in Anantnag, is the proprietor of M/s AT Trading Agri Services Pvt. Ltd. He was arrested in connection with FIR No. 16/2025 registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
According to officials, several written complaints were received alleging that Shahid Rehman had collected large sums of money from farmers with the promise of supplying High-Density Apple Plants. However, after receiving the payments, he neither delivered the plants nor refunded the money, and subsequently went into hiding.
Bank records submitted by the complainants reportedly confirm that the accused had amassed crores of rupees through fraudulent means.
The accused had applied for bail, but his plea was dismissed by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge Anantnag. The court cited strong objections raised by the investigating agency and the existence of prima facie evidence to justify continued detention.
Further investigations into the case are underway. DD