Srinagar Police have busted a major cheating and stolen-gold racket operating across multiple districts in the Kashmir Valley, arresting three individuals, including the key accused woman, Asmat Jan alias Taboo.
Police from Station Lal Bazar apprehended Asmat Jan, who was wanted in several cases of cheating and fraud registered in Lal Bazar, Safakadal, Chadoora, Sopore, and Khrew (Awantipora). She had been absconding for a long period, frequently moving between West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Jammu to evade capture.
Acting on specific intelligence, five teams from PS Lal Bazar, under the supervision of the SDPO and Zonal SP, traced the accused to Hotel White House in Jalandhar, Punjab, where she was arrested.
The Gold Association of Kashmir Valley had previously raised concerns over her repeated involvement in defrauding gold shopkeepers. A case under FIR No. 42/2025 has been registered under Sections 303(2) and 318(4) of the BNS.
Further investigation revealed the involvement of two associates in handling the stolen gold:
Shameem Ahmad Sheikh, a goldsmith from Indra Nagar, allegedly purchased stolen ornaments at low prices and facilitated their concealment.
Basir Ahmad Dar, from Nawakadal, was accused of transporting and clandestinely disposing of the stolen gold.
All three accused are now in custody. Police stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests and recoveries are expected as the probe continues.
