PULWAMA — Pulwama Police have registered an FIR against a man accused of impersonating the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pulwama and allegedly defrauding a father and son of approximately ₹28 lakh in connection with a land compensation dispute, following directions from a court.
The case has been registered against Haroon Rashid Bandh, a resident of Kaichachkoot in Awantipora, under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR follows an October 23, 2026, order by Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Pulwama, Muzamil Ahmad Wani, on an application filed by Muhammad Yousuf Thoker and his son, Tariq Ahmad Thoker, residents of Frestabal in Pampore.
According to the complaint, the applicants alleged that Bandh falsely represented himself as the ADC, Pulwama, despite not holding or being authorised to exercise that official position. They alleged that he used the purported official identity to induce them to pay approximately ₹28 lakh through representations linked to land compensation and a property transaction.
The complaint states that a portion of Muhammad Yousuf Thoker’s land at Gudoora in Pulwama was acquired in connection with the construction or widening of National Highway-444, for which compensation became payable.
The accused allegedly came into contact with the family during proceedings related to the land acquisition and compensation and subsequently obtained the money through fraudulent representations, according to the application.
The court order also refers to an agreement to sell dated June 10, 2026, concerning the remaining land at Gudoora. The applicants alleged that they later found the purported misrepresentation and referred to a civil suit filed on July 4, 2026, which was pending before the Court of the Munsiff, Pulwama.
The applicants told the court that they had approached Police Station Pulwama and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, seeking registration of an FIR, but no case had been registered. They subsequently sought judicial intervention under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
In its October 23 order, the CJM noted that the police had not submitted a report or response despite being directed to do so.
After examining the application, affidavit, transaction-related material and WhatsApp conversations referred to by the applicants, the court observed that the material prima facie disclosed cognizable offences requiring a thorough investigation.
The court accordingly directed the Station House Officer of Police Station Pulwama to register an FIR under the relevant provisions of law and proceed with the investigation.
Police have since registered FIR No. 214/2026 under Sections 319 and 336(3) of the BNS.
The allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
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