10/07/2025
Maiden Property Attachment Under New Criminal Laws by Jammu Police Leads to Recovery of โน75 Lakhs, Distributed Among 17 Victims in โน2.39 Crore Job Scam: Police
Jammu, July 9: Police on Wednesday said that in a landmark action under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Jammu Police has successfully executed its first-ever property attachment in a high-profile job fraud case, resulting in the recovery and refund of โน75 lakhs to victims. This milestone reflects the victim centric approach embodied in Indiaโs new criminal justice reforms.
In a handout to GNS, the police said that the case revolves around Harpreet Singh, a resident of Pallanwala, who posed as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army and defrauded multiple individuals of more than *โน2.39 crores by falsely promising them jobs in prestigious government institutions such as MES, MoD, and DRDO. The fraud came to light when Arun Sharma, a resident of Nagrota, filed a complaint on 6 November 2024, leading to the registration of FIR No. 293/2024 under Sections 319(2), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, and 340(2) of the BNS at Police Station Nagrota, Jammu. The accused was arrested the following day.
The spokesman further stated that investigation revealed that a sale agreement was executed between Kamaljeet Kour (Suriender wife) and the accusedโs mother, Paramjeet Kour to the tune of โน2 crores,22 lacs & 50 thousand for the purchase of Double story Duplex building constructed over 08 Marlas of land in Channi Bheja , Tehsil Bahu Fort Jammu.Moreover, an amount of โน1,93,50,000/- was received by Suriender Singh(Co-Accused)and his wife from accused Harpreet through online transactions and cash.The amount paid by accused Harpreet Singh was proceedes of crime collected from innocent victims in lieu of providing Govt.Job.
Acting on a police plea, the Honโble Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, passed an attachment order on 18 January 2025 under Section 107(5) BNSS, which was executed by Tehsildar Bahu. A 14-day show cause notice was issued to the accused to justify the source of funds used in the transaction, failing which the property was to be auctioned, he said.
During court proceedings, based on clinching evidence presented by the Investigating Officer, Kamaljeet Kour made a judicial admission that she had received โน1.53 crores from the accused. In a significant development, she voluntarily agreed to refund the amount initially committing to deposit โน50 lakhs within 7 days, and the remaining โน1.03 crores within two months. Moreover,an amount of โน40,50,000 which is disputed amount can be proved only during trial.
The Honโble Court ruled that the attachment order shall remain in effect until the admitted amount is fully deposited.It also prohibited the seller from creating any third-party interest in the property. The SSP Jammu was directed to open a dedicated account for collecting and distributing the recovered funds among the verified victims.
Today the recovered amount of โน75 lakhs has been distributed equally among 17 victims,through cheques.This marks the first instance in UT of J&K under BNSS where defrauded money has been returned to victims, exemplifying the lawโs focus on justice, accountability, and restitution.
The case was meticulously investigated by Inspector Parvez Sajad (SHO Nagrota), under the supervision of DySP Vinod Kundal (SDPO Nagrota), with overall oversight by SP Rural Brijesh Sharma (JKPS) and SSP Jammu Joginder Singh (JKPS). Legal assistance was provided by Senior Prosecuting Officer Altaf Wahid, DPO Jammu and Financial expertise provided by Account Officer, kamal Bhagat.
This breakthrough demonstrates a strong legal and administrative resolve to tackle economic offences and restore public trust. It sets a crucial precedent for future enforcement under the BNSS and reflects the evolving framework of a more responsive and victim-oriented criminal justice system, reads the statement.(GNS)
