Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 9: In a landmark enforcement of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Jammu Police has recovered and distributed Rs 75 lakh to victims of a major job fraud case by executing the Union Territory’s first property attachment order under the new criminal law. The amount was refunded through cheques to 17 verified victims — a pioneering move that underscores the victim-first approach envisioned in India’s revamped legal framework.
The case pertains to Harpreet Singh, a resident of Pallanwala, who impersonated a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army and allegedly defrauded over Rs 2.39 crore from multiple individuals by promising them employment in reputed government departments, including the MES, Ministry of Defence, and DRDO.
The fraud came to light after a written complaint was filed by Arun Sharma, a resident of Nagrota, on November 6, 2024. An FIR (No. 293/2024) was registered under Sections 319(2), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, and 340(2) of the BNSS at Police Station Nagrota.
Harpreet Singh was arrested the next day.
During the investigation, it was revealed that a double-storey duplex property in Channi Bheja, Tehsil Bahu Fort, Jammu, had been purchased in the name of the accused's mother, Paramjeet Kour. The sale agreement with Kamaljeet Kour (wife of Surinder Singh, a co-accused in the same case) was executed for Rs 2.22 crore. Financial records showed that Rs 1.93 crore was transferred by Harpreet Singh to Surinder Singh and his wife via online and cash payments — proceeds of crime collected from unsuspecting victims under the pretext of offering government jobs.
Following a detailed police application, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, issued a property attachment order on January 18, 2025 under Sec In a first-of-its-kind action under the newly enacted BNSS, Jammu Police has successfully attached property and refunded Rs 75 lakh to victims of a high-profile job fraud, marking a significant step toward victim-centric justice in India’s evolving criminal justice system.
In a significant courtroom development, Kamaljeet Kour made a judicial admission, confirming that she had received Rs 1.53 crore from the accused. She voluntarily agreed to return the funds, initially committing Rs 50 lakh within a week and the balance Rs 1.03 crore within two months. An additional amount of Rs 40.50 lakh remains disputed and is subject to adjudication during trial proceedings.
The court ruled that the attachment order will remain in force until the admitted amount is fully recovered. It also barred the creation of any third-party interest in the said property. Furthermore, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu was directed to open a dedicated account for the collection and equitable distribution of the recovered amount among verified victims.
Today, in a major milestone, Rs 75 lakh was refunded through cheques to 17 victims — the first successful case of restitution under BNSS in Jammu and Kashmir.
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 guidance was provided by Senior Prosecuting Officer Altaf Wahid, and financial tracking support came from Accounts Officer Kamal Bhagat.
This landmark recovery and restitution set a strong precedent for future enforcement under BNSS. It not only reflects a robust legal and administrative framework to combat economic crimes but also reinforces the government’s commitment to victim-centric justice and accountability. |
