Srinagar, November 20, 2025:
Srinagar Police has achieved a major breakthrough by cracking a multi-district cheating and stolen-gold racket operating across the Kashmir Valley.
Police Station Lal Bazar arrested Asmat Jan @ Taboo, a woman wanted in multiple cases of cheating and fraud registered in Lal Bazar, Safakadal, Chadoora, Sopore, and Khrew (Awantipora). The accused had been evading arrest for a long time, frequently shifting locations between West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Jammu to avoid law enforcement.
Acting on specific intelligence, five dedicated teams of PS Lal Bazar—under the supervision of the SDPO and Zonal SP—tracked and apprehended her from Hotel White House, Jalandhar (Punjab) after sustained efforts.
The Gold Association of Kashmir Valley had earlier expressed serious concern over her repeated involvement in cheating gold shopkeepers across the region. In this regard, FIR No. 42/2025 stands registered at PS Lal Bazar under Sections 303(2) and 318(4) of the BNS.
During further investigation, credible evidence surfaced establishing the involvement of a goldsmith and his associate who were knowingly engaged in receiving, transporting, and disposing of stolen gold supplied by the main accused. The arrested associates are:
- Shameem Ahmad Sheikh, S/o Sonaullah Sheikh, R/o Iqbal Colony, Indra Nagar — a goldsmith at Bohri Kadal, arrested for knowingly purchasing stolen gold ornaments at undervalued rates and facilitating their concealment and circulation.
- Basir Ahmad Dar, S/o Abdul Aziz Dar, R/o Nawakadal — arrested for his role in transporting and clandestinely disposing of stolen gold, thereby aiding the illegal trade.
All three accused have been taken into custody. Further investigation is underway, and more arrests and recoveries are expected as the case progresses.