Srinagar witnessed a major crackdown on corruption linked to the COVID-19 crisis. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Kashmir has registered a cheating case against two individuals accused of defrauding government departments through fake medical supply deals during the pandemic.
The case stems from a detailed written complaint highlighting a sophisticated scam. The accused, residents of Peer Bagh and Sanat Nagar in Srinagar, allegedly posed as delegates of the Jammu and Kashmir Secretariat and OSD Supply. They tricked officials into transferring payments for medical equipment into bank accounts opened fraudulently in the name of legitimate suppliers.
To bolster their deception, the duo created bogus email IDs mimicking real suppliers, ensuring their false identities went unquestioned initially. Preliminary investigations reveal they siphoned off Rs 27 lakh from one government office and plotted to extract a whopping Rs 2.24 crore from a state-run medical facility.
Charges invoked include Sections 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (forgery offences), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, alongside Section 66-D of the IT Act for digital impersonation. EOW officials have taken cognizance and launched a thorough probe to uncover the full extent of the racket.
This development underscores ongoing efforts to purge systemic graft exposed during health emergencies. As investigations deepen, more revelations could surface, holding the culprits accountable and safeguarding public funds meant for critical healthcare.