The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNC): In a major breakthrough against organised cheating networks and stolen gold syndicates, Srinagar Police have successfully dismantled a Valley-wide racket with the arrest of a notorious woman fraudster and two of her associates. The crackdown brings respite to gold dealers across Kashmir who had been repeatedly targeted over the past several months.
According to a statement issued to Kashmir News Corner (KNC), Police Station Lal Bazar apprehended the prime accused, Asmat Jan alias Taboo, a woman wanted in multiple cheating and fraud cases registered across Srinagar and other districts including Lal Bazar, Safakadal, Chadoora, Sopore and Khrew (Awantipora). The accused had remained at large for an extended period, frequently shifting her base between West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra and Jammu in a calculated effort to evade arrest.
Acting on precise intelligence inputs, five specialised teams of Lal Bazar Police, working under the close supervision of the SDPO and Zonal SP, tracked her down to Hotel White House in Jalandhar, Punjab. After sustained surveillance and coordinated execution, the teams successfully detained her, bringing an end to her long-running movement across states to escape law enforcement.
The statement said the Gold Association of Kashmir Valley had earlier raised alarm over her continued involvement in cheating gold shopkeepers through fraudulent schemes and deceptive practices. Following these complaints, FIR No. 42/2025 was registered at Police Station Lal Bazar under Sections 303(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the course of investigation, police uncovered credible evidence revealing that the accused was operating in collusion with a goldsmith and his associate, both of whom played active roles in purchasing, concealing and disposing of stolen gold. The arrested associates have been identified as Shameem Ahmad Sheikh, son of Sonaullah Sheikh, a goldsmith from Iqbal Colony, Indra Nagar who was running a shop at Bohri Kadal and was allegedly procuring stolen gold ornaments at suppressed rates while facilitating their circulation in the market. The second accused, Basir Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Aziz Dar of Nawakadal, was allegedly involved in transporting and clandestinely disposing of stolen gold, thereby aiding the illegal operation.
All three accused have been taken into custody, and police say the racket’s network appears wider than initially believed. Further investigation is underway, with officials anticipating more arrests and recoveries as the case advances.
Srinagar Police have termed the crackdown a significant step in safeguarding gold traders and restoring confidence in the market, adding that their teams remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks operating across district and state lines.
