Kashmir’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch has taken stern action, filing a case against five individuals suspected of orchestrating a large-scale fraud. These individuals allegedly circulated a fabricated selection list for positions within the National Health Mission (NHM), as reported by the agency on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
According to a Crime Branch spokesperson, the investigation began after the State Nodal Officer for NHM reported the circulation of a counterfeit order. This bogus document falsely appeared to be an official selection list from the NHM’s Mission Director in Jammu and Kashmir.
This deceptive document, misleadingly 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 across various social media platforms. Its circulation sowed confusion and false hope among the public, as confirmed by the spokesperson.
Promptly responding to the complaint, a preliminary inquiry was launched at the Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir, which has since transitioned into the Economic Offences Wing.
The investigation revealed that an NGO, ‘J&K Health Care Services,’ had previously received approval from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its mandate was to supply volunteer staff to various medical facilities across Kashmir to alleviate manpower shortages.
Exploiting this approval, members of the NGO allegedly engaged in a calculated conspiracy. They deceitfully approached volunteers, collected their essential documents, and extracted money from them, all under the false promise of securing permanent positions within the NHM.
Following these predatory actions, the NGO proceeded to create a fraudulent selection list, complete with forged signatures of the NHM J&K Mission Director.
The individuals identified and accused in this case are Abdul Qayoom Naik from Check Feroz Pora, Tangmarg; Abdul Qayoom Khan, a resident of Harwan currently residing in Ompora, Budgam; Mohammad Ashraf Hurrah from Saria Bala, Srinagar; and Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and Hilal Ahmad Bahar, both hailing from Shadipora, Sumbal, Bandipora.
A spokesperson stated that their actions clearly indicate the commission of offenses punishable under Sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B of the RPC, in conjunction with Section 66-D of the IT Act. Consequently, official notice has been taken, and a formal case has been filed.