Srinagar: In a significant step towards curbing fraudulent activities and protecting the interests of the public, police in Anantnag have detained a habitual offender involved in the sale of counterfeit gold under the PSA.
The accused identified as Showkat Ahmad Zargar son of Noor Mohammad Zargar resident of New Colony, Bijbehara A/P Shamsipora, have been booked under the provisions of the PSA for his repeated involvement in selling counterfeit gold and has been shifted to Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu, for lodgement, a police spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency—KNO.
It is pertinent to mention here that, Police Station Bijbehara had been receiving multiple complaints against the accused over the past years regarding fraudulent sale of fake gold items, and accordingly several FIRs (FIR No. 06/2023, FIR No. 223/2024 and FIR Nos. 149 & 150 of 2025) were registered against him.
During the investigation, the counterfeit gold items produced by complainants were seized and sent to the Hallmarking Centre, Srinagar, for purity verification. Reports confirmed that all seized items were fake. Furthermore, the investigation also revealed that the accused is a habitual cheater who has been deceiving innocent people through fraudulent means, thereby posing a serious threat to public trust and safety in the UT of J&K.
Police reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens and urge the public to remain vigilant against such frauds.