Gang selling stolen vehicles busted in Awantipora

SRINAGAR — Police in Awantipora on Friday claimed to have busted a gang involved in selling stolen vehicles, saying three accused persons involved in the act have been arrested and stolen vehicles were also recovered from their possession.

In a statement issued here, the police spokesman said that Awantipora Police received information that some persons are luring customers by selling vehicles at quite cheaper rates than actual price.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that some persons in Awantipora area are involved in selling stolen vehicles to the customers at cheaper rates after receiving the stolen vehicles from other states of the country,” police said.

They have been identified as Mohammad Shafi Dar, son of Ghulam Mohammad of Lethpora, Shameem Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohammad Rajab Bhat of Lethpora and Abdul Rashid Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din of Lelhar Kakapora.

Police said they have been arrested and shifted to Police Station Awantipora where they remain in custody. “Three stolen vehicles including one Scorpio and two Alto-K10 have also been recovered from their possession,” police said.

Accordingly, police said that a case under FIR number 188/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Awantipora.

“Further investigation into the matter is in progress and more arrests/recoveries are expected,” police said.

As per investigation, police said the modus operandi of the accused persons was to lift vehicles, then put fake number plate on the stolen vehicles which normally exists on the same type of vehicle with some genuine person to make lifted vehicles similar to registered genuine vehicle, so as to misguide the law enforcing agencies as well as the general public.

Meanwhile, police said that general public is requested not to buy any suspicious vehicle from any unauthorized dealers/persons and buy vehicles only after proper verification from the Police and concerned RTOs.