Kulgam, Oct 27 (JKNS): Kulgam Police have recovered the entire ₹9.5 lakh allegedly siphoned off from a woman’s bank account through an ATM card exchange fraud, arrested two women accused of receiving the proceeds of the crime, and launched efforts to apprehend two Haryana-based men identified as the main accused, officials said on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson in a statement issued here to news agency JKNS said, that Police have recovered the entire ₹9.5 lakh allegedly defrauded from a woman through an ATM card exchange fraud, while two women have been arrested for their alleged involvement in receiving the proceeds of the crime. The two main accused, identified as residents of Haryana, remain absconding, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them.
According to police, the case is registered under FIR No. 254/2026 under Sections 303(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Qazigund.
The case came to light on October 15, 2026, when the complainant, Muneera Reshi, wife of Gulzar Ahmad Shaan and a resident of Pati Akhran, Kulgam, approached Police Post Mir Bazar. She alleged that an unidentified person had fraudulently exchanged her ATM card at an ATM in Mir Bazar on October 5, following which unauthorised transactions amounting to ₹9.5 lakh were carried out from her bank account.
During the investigation, police identified the two main accused as Vinender Singh alias Sheenu, son of Roshan Lal, a resident of Kesan Colony, Ward No. 12, Barwala, Hisar, Haryana, and Mukesh Singh, son of Rajuram, a resident of Hansi in Hisar district, Haryana.
Police said the identities and residential particulars of the accused were established through CCTV footage, technical analysis and other investigative leads.
A police team from Police Post Mir Bazar subsequently travelled to Haryana to trace the accused and verify their residential addresses. However, both individuals were found absconding, with their respective residences reportedly found locked.
Police said efforts to locate and arrest the two accused are continuing. During the course of the investigation, police recovered the entire amount of ₹9.5 lakh allegedly obtained through the fraud. Two women were arrested for their alleged role in receiving the proceeds of the crime.
The arrested women have been identified as, Shanti Devi, wife of Nathu Ram, a resident of Data Gurana, Hisar district, Haryana. She is the maternal uncle’s wife of accused Vinender Singh alias Sheenu and Rajpati Devi, wife of Raj Kumar, a resident of Sorkhi, Hisar district, Haryana. She is the maternal aunt of accused Mukesh Singh.
Police said further investigation is underway to establish the complete sequence of events, examine the alleged movement of the defrauded money and ascertain the role of all persons involved in the case.
Public Asked to Share Information About Absconding Accused
Kulgam Police have appealed to the public to share any credible information regarding the whereabouts of Vinender Singh alias Sheenu and Mukesh Singh.
Information can be provided to the nearest police station, Police Post Mir Bazar, Police Station Qazigund or the Police Control Room at +91 70515 10660.
Police said information provided by members of the public would be handled with due confidentiality, subject to applicable law.
SSP Kulgam Advises Public to Remain Vigilant
SSP Kulgam, Anayat Ali Choudhary, IPS, has advised citizens to exercise caution while carrying out ATM transactions and remain alert against fraudsters who may attempt to obtain banking information or exchange ATM cards.
Citizens have been urged not to hand over their ATM cards to unknown persons or disclose their PINs, one-time passwords (OTPs) or other banking credentials. Police have also advised people to avoid accepting assistance from strangers at ATMs and immediately report suspicious activity or unauthorised transactions to their respective banks and the police.
Kulgam Police reiterated their commitment to protecting public interests and combating financial fraud, urging citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
Further investigation and requisite legal formalities are underway. The two main accused remain to be apprehended.(JKNS
