JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday apprehended a key suspect accused of running a multi-crore money laundering scheme and unlawfully obtaining confidential official documents with serious security implications.
Police sources informed the news agency KNO that the suspect identified as Tarun Bahl, a prominent businessman and educator based in Jammu, operates multiple educational institutions and owns the newspapers ‘Daily Sree Times’ and ‘Aasman’ (Urdu newspaper) as well as various social media channels from his upscale residence in Channi Himmat, Jammu city.
He has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and Section 353/49 of the Indian Penal Code.
A police spokesperson said they received credible information about the circulation of a confidential document related to security matters from police headquarters on WhatsApp groups associated with ‘The Sree Times’ and ‘Aasman’ newspaper, owned and managed by Tarun Bahl, allegedly with malicious intent to spread misinformation.
“On this basis, an FIR was registered under sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, along with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 49 (punishment for abetment) and 353 (statements conducing to public mischief),” he said, adding that the investigation led to the arrest of Tarun Bahl, who has been placed in police remand for four days.
During interrogation, Bahl provided crucial information that unveiled an extensive network of money laundering activities, the spokesperson said.
According to officials, Bahl, the proprietor of British International School, Jammu and New Modern School and Colleges, allegedly operated approximately 125 bank accounts, through which an estimated Rs 128 crore was laundered to conceal illicit funds and reintroduce them into the financial system.
“Further investigation revealed that Tarun Bahl possessed 16 luxury cars, multiple properties, commercial vehicles, and valuable jewellery,” official sources revealed. They added that Bahl maintained close connections with senior bureaucrats, politicians and police officers, often attending unofficial gatherings and functions.
“In addition to his known identity, Tarun Bahl was allegedly involved in financial misconduct under the pseudonym Ravi Bahl. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining loans from banks in the names of his employees,” officials disclosed.
According to investigators, Bahl has been influential in extorting money from senior bureaucrats and local politicians, and he allegedly manipulated confidential information to wield control over government officials for personal gain.
“Our investigation points out Bahl’s unscrupulous business practices and his strategic placement within administrative circles through bribery and coercion,” sources informed. “His actions posed a significant threat to national security by compromising sensitive government operations and fostering corruption.”
Meanwhile, the police have issued a stern warning to media organisations and WhatsApp group administrators against sharing information or documents that endanger national security and sovereignty. They have warned of strict legal actions against those found violating these directives.
