Srinagar, Oct 4, KNT: The Crime Branch Kashmir’s Economic Offences Wing has registered a case after receiving a complaint from the State Nodal Officer of the National Health Mission (NHM) J&K regarding the circulation of a forged selection order purportedly issued by the Mission Director, NHM, J&K.
The fake order, titled “Provisional Selection List of Candidates for Different Posts (Kashmir Division) against Notification No. SHS/NHM/J&K/HR/10259 dated 10.05.2021”, was widely shared on social media, misleading job seekers and creating confusion. Following the complaint, Crime Branch Kashmir initiated a preliminary probe which revealed a well-organised forgery and fraud network operating under the guise of a non-governmental organisation.
Investigators found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, an NGO named J&K Health Care Services had been approved by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir under order No. DHSK/JKHCS/2020-21/6466 dated 22 March 2021 for deploying volunteers in different medical blocks to address staff shortages.
However, the Crime Branch said that members of the NGO’s management misused this approval for fraudulent gain. They allegedly approached volunteers with promises of permanent appointments under NHM, collected their documents, and extorted money from them. Later, they forged a “selection list” by faking the signatures of the Mission Director, NHM J&K, and circulated it as an official document.
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The accused have been identified as Abdul Qayoom Naik, son of Abdul Aziz Naik, resident of Check Feroz Pora, Tangmarg; Abdul Qayoom Khan, son of Gull Mohammad Khan, resident of Harwan, presently residing at Ompora Budgam; Mohammad Ashraf Hurrah, son of Ghulam Nabi Hurrah, resident of Saria Bala, Srinagar; Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, son of Mohammad Sultan Sofi, resident of Shadipora, Sumbal Bandipora; and Hilal Ahmad Bahar, son of Mohammad Sidiq Bahar, resident of Shadipora, Sumbal Bandipora.
Officials said their actions constitute offences punishable under sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act. The offences relate to cheating, forgery, and conspiracy using electronic means.
A senior officer of the Economic Offences Wing told KNT that evidence collected so far indicates that the accused not only forged official signatures but also circulated the document digitally to make it appear authentic. “We have seized relevant digital devices, verified bank transactions, and are analysing communication records to establish the financial trail and identify further beneficiaries,” the officer said.
Authorities have also appealed to the public to verify all recruitment-related notices directly through official NHM channels. “No NGO or third party has any authority to issue or confirm appointments under NHM J&K,” the officer clarified, urging people not to fall prey to fake job promises spread through social media.
Officials said the investigation is progressing swiftly, and more arrests could follow as the network’s full scale becomes clear. The Crime Branch reaffirmed its resolve to act firmly against digital forgery, fake recruitment scams, and all forms of economic offences affecting public trust. [KNT]
