Odisha Special Task Force Arrests Kashmiri Fraudster Wanted for Cheating and Forgery

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], December 16: The Odisha Special Task Force (STF) has apprehended a Kashmiri fraudster, Sayed Ishaan Bukhari, who was also wanted by the Kashmir Police in connection with multiple cases of cheating and forgery. The accused, who is currently facing a non-bailable warrant, was arrested in a joint operation conducted by the STF and local police officials on December 15.

Bukhari, also known as Ishaan Bukhari and Dr Ishaan Bukhari, has been accused of assuming various false identities, including that of a Neuro Specialist Doctor, an Army Doctor, an officer in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and a close associate of high-ranking officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The 37-year-old fraudster, originally from Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir, is suspected of having links with anti-national elements, as revealed by the STF. Additionally, it has come to light that Bukhari has married at least 6-7 girls from different parts of India, such as Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Investigations have revealed that he maintained active profiles on various websites and apps, engaging in romantic relationships with multiple women, all while impersonating a doctor with international qualifications.

The STF, acting on reliable information, conducted a raid at Neulpur, Dharmshala, Jajpur, resulting in the arrest of Sayed Ishaan Bukhari. The raid, which took place in the presence of witnesses, involved cooperation between the STF, local police officials, and the STF Odisha team. Bukhari was taken into custody for charges related to impersonation, cheating, forgery, and suspected associations with anti-national elements.

STF has registered a case against Bukhari under Sections 419/420/465/467/468/471/120(B) of the Indian Penal Code, read with Section 66 C/66 D of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

During the raid, the STF seized a significant amount of incriminating evidence, including more than 100 documents. Further investigations have revealed that Bukhari had connections with suspicious individuals in Kerala and some Pakistani nationals.

The seized evidence includes forged medical degree certificates allegedly issued by reputable institutions such as Cornel University in the USA, Canadian Health Services Institute, and Christian Medical College Vellore. Additionally, the STF confiscated blank signed documents, affidavits, bonds, numerous identity cards, ATM cards, blank cheques, Aadhar cards, and visiting cards.

JN Pankaj, Inspector General of STF Odisha, stated that the investigation is ongoing, and the STF is working diligently to gather more evidence against Bukhari.