J&K EOW Uncovers Multi-Crore 'Covid Scam', Searches Conducted In Srinagar & Budgam

Last Updated:March 26, 2026, 18:58 IST

The proprietor of a Delhi-based company has alleged that the accused duped the firm on the pretext of arranging medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has launched a massive crackdown on a sophisticated procurement fraud dating back to the Covid-19 pandemic, CNN-News18 has learnt. On Thursday, investigating teams conducted simultaneous house searches at three distinct locations across Srinagar and Budgam districts. These raids are linked to FIR No. 11/2026, which involves grave charges including cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code, alongside violations of the IT Act.

The investigation was triggered by a formal complaint from a New Delhi-based firm, M/s Sanjay Trading Company. The proprietor, Sanjay Kumar Sahu, alleged that a group of individuals orchestrated a complex scheme to induce his firm into providing medical supplies under the guise of official government procurement. The primary accused, identified as Emad Muzafar Makdoomi (also known as Imran Shah) of Peerbagh and Vikar Ahmad Bhat of Sanatnagar, allegedly presented themselves as high-ranking government delegates and Officers on Special Duty (OSD) for supplies to gain the firm’s trust.

A preliminary probe has unmasked a staggering level of deception. The accused reportedly issued fraudulent allotment orders purportedly from various state institutions and departments. By impersonating government officials, they successfully siphoned off significant sums, including funds originating from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag. The investigation further revealed a bold attempt to divert and siphon off crores of rupees from the Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar.

To facilitate the movement of these illicit funds, the syndicate allegedly utilised advanced digital fraud techniques. This included the creation of fake email identities in the name of the complainant’s firm and the opening of fraudulent bank accounts to intercept and divert official payments. The house searches conducted on Thursday were specifically designed to recover critical digital evidence and financial documentation that could further link the suspects to the diverted assets. As the J&K Crime Branch moves forward with the investigation, authorities remain focused on tracing the full extent of the financial trail left behind during one of the region’s most sensitive periods of public health emergency.

News india J&K EOW Uncovers Multi-Crore 'Covid Scam', Searches Conducted In Srinagar & Budgam

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