Srinagar, Oct 24: Pulwama Police have registered an FIR against a man accused of posing as the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Pulwama and allegedly cheating a father-son duo of around ₹28 lakh in a land compensation dispute, following directions from a local court.
The case has been registered against Haroon Rashid Bandh, a resident of Kachachkoot, Awantipora, under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR was registered following an order passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate Pulwama, Muzamil Ahmad Wani, on October 23, 2026.
The complaint was filed by Muhammad Yousuf Thoker and his son, Tariq Ahmad Thoker, residents of Frastabal, Pampore. They alleged that Bandh falsely claimed to hold the post of ADC Pulwama and used the purported official identity to obtain approximately ₹28 lakh from them through assurances related to land compensation and a property transaction.
According to the complaint, a portion of Yousuf Thoker's land at Gudoora, Pulwama, was acquired for the construction or widening of National Highway-444, making compensation payable to the landowner. The accused allegedly came into contact with the family during the compensation process and subsequently obtained money through alleged fraudulent representations.
The complaint also refers to an agreement to sell dated June 10, 2026, concerning the remaining portion of the land. The applicants claimed that they later discovered the alleged misrepresentation. They also informed the court that a civil suit filed on July 4, 2026, concerning the matter was pending before the Munsiff Court in Pulwama.
The father and son further alleged that they approached Police Station Pulwama and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, seeking registration of a case, but their requests did not result in an FIR. They subsequently approached the court under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
In its order, the court observed that the police had not submitted a report despite being directed to do so. After examining the application, affidavit, transaction-related documents and WhatsApp conversations cited by the complainants, the court found that the material prima facie indicated cognizable offences warranting investigation.
The court directed the Station House Officer of Police Station Pulwama to register an FIR under the relevant provisions of law and initiate an investigation. Police have registered FIR No. 214/2026 in connection with the allegations.
The allegations against the accused are subject to investigation.
