Love for Kashmiri sapphire costs a Nawab from Hyderabad Rs 3 crore

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday claimed to have recovered Rs 62 lakh from a group of imposters posing as sapphire traders, who allegedly duped a Hyderabad-based nawab of Rs 3 crore in a high-profile gemstone fraud.

According to the police, the victim, Mir Firasath Ali Khan, had filed a complaint last year at Bahu Fort police station in Jammu, alleging that he was duped by two persons who sold him fake sapphire jewellery under the guise of Kashmir sapphires.

Found deep in the mines of the towering mountains of Padder tehsil in Kishtwar district, Kashmir sapphires are among the world’s rarest gemstones, known for their distinctive “blue” colour.

Police said Khan, known for his collection of gems and sapphires, was approached by Mohammed Rayaz of Rajouri, and Mohammed Taj Khan of Poonch, who posed as reputed gemstone traders. The accused contacted Khan in Hyderabad and convinced him of the authenticity of the sapphires they were selling.

In the first instalment, Khan transferred Rs 3 crore to the accused. Later, the fraudsters attempted to con him into buying more fake sapphires for Rs 25 crore. However, before the second transaction could go through, Khan discovered the scam and alerted the authorities. During the investigation, the police seized several fake sapphire necklaces from the possession of the accused and managed to recover Rs 62 lakh from Rayaz and his associates. The seized amount was later released to the complainant by the court.

SDPO Bakshi Nagar, Dr Satish Bhardwaj, said they have identified properties acquired by the accused during the crime. He said the police have approached the court to initiate attachment proceedings under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a new provision aimed at making criminal laws more victim-centric.

“This section empowers the court to attach and forfeit property acquired through fraud, ensuring restitution to the victims,” Bhardwaj said. He said though the accused are on bail, police are in process of submitting a detailed chargesheet before the court.