SRINAGAR: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has registered a case against an agriculture firm owner from Anantnag for allegedly duping multiple farmers of crores of rupees under the pretext of supplying high-density apple plants.
The accused, proprietor of M/s AR Trading Agri Services Pvt. Ltd. and a resident of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, is alleged to have collected large sums of money from farmers with a false promise of delivering premium-quality apple saplings. However, according to the complaint, neither the promised plants were delivered nor were the funds refunded, prompting multiple victims to approach law enforcement.
Officials confirmed that the Crime Branch has registered an FIR under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 following a preliminary investigation and verification of bank transaction records submitted by the complainants. The records reportedly confirm the large-scale nature of the financial fraud.
“The accused collected crores of rupees under the garb of supplying high-density apple plants but went into hiding after taking payments from unsuspecting individuals,” a Crime Branch official said. “We are currently pursuing all legal avenues to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amounts.”
Multiple cases of delayed and non contractual deliveries of plants materials have come to light in recent years in Kashmir, leaving farmers in difficult losses.
In the latesr case, it could not be immediately ascertained if the non delivery of plant materials was as a result of any genuine supply chain issues, especially with regard to imported materials, or if it was as a result of intentional diversion of money.
The case has sent shockwaves through the horticulture community, especially in South Kashmir where the apple industry is a primary livelihood for thousands. Stakeholders say the scam has not only financially impacted victims but also shaken trust in private sector suppliers involved in government-subsidised horticulture schemes.
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