In a recent development, the Rawat Police have dropped the fraud case against renowned actor Javed Sheikh and five other individuals, citing jurisdictional issues. The police determined that the events in question transpired in Karachi, thus falling outside their authority. This decision was confirmed by Rawat Station House Officer (SHO) Chaudhry Zulfikar, who explained that the investigation revealed the transaction occurred in Karachi.
The fraud case, registered under Section 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, was initially lodged on June 6 following court orders. The accused in the case included Javed Sheikh, Jahanzeb Alam, Jamal Khan, Rana Zahid, Azhar Hussain, and Sameer Jadoon. They were alleged to have deceived a couple into investing Rs5 million with the promise of lucrative returns, which were never delivered.
The case was filed based on a complaint by Amjad Mahmood, who, along with his spouse Iram Amjad, claimed that the accused had assured them of a seven percent monthly profit on their investment. Mahmood’s complaint, which led to the registration of the case, detailed how the accused had failed to honor their promises. Furthermore, Mahmood reported that Alam and Khan had threatened him repeatedly, even resorting to showing weapons as a form of intimidation.
Following the complaint, an additional district and sessions judge ordered the registration of the case and summoned the accused for investigation. Despite the serious allegations, SHO Zulfikar clarified that using Javed Sheikh’s name for the company’s fraudulent activities did not necessarily implicate the actor himself in the scam.
During the course of the investigation, the Rawat Police discovered that the financial transaction at the heart of the fraud case took place in Karachi. This crucial detail meant that the Rawat Police did not have jurisdiction over the case. As a result, a discharge report was prepared, and the case was effectively dropped.
SHO Zulfikar elaborated on the jurisdictional limitations, stating that while the complaint was serious and warranted investigation, the location of the alleged crime necessitated transferring the matter to the appropriate authorities in Karachi. This jurisdictional issue underscores the procedural complexities often encountered in fraud cases that span different regions.
The dropping of the case against Javed Sheikh and the other accused due to jurisdictional issues does not equate to exoneration from the allegations. Instead, it highlights the procedural necessity of ensuring that cases are handled by the correct legal authorities. The Karachi police may now need to take up the investigation, given the location of the alleged fraudulent activities.
This situation also brings to light the importance of understanding legal jurisdiction in fraud cases. The PPC’s Section 420 under which the case was registered, pertains to cheating and inducing delivery of property through deceit. It is critical for law enforcement agencies to accurately determine the jurisdiction to ensure proper legal proceedings.
Javed Sheikh, a prominent figure in the Pakistani entertainment industry, was named as the brand ambassador for the company involved in the alleged fraud. While his name was associated with the company, SHO Zulfikar clarified that this did not automatically implicate Sheikh in the fraudulent activities. The distinction between using a public figure’s name for promotional purposes and their actual involvement in criminal activities is an essential consideration in such cases.
The case has undoubtedly affected Sheikh’s reputation, but the Rawat Police’s clarification provides some relief by distinguishing his role from the fraudulent acts allegedly committed by the company.
