Rs. 17.91 Crore Iran Aid Collection Under Scanner in J and K
A suspected fake donation drive in Jammu and Kashmir collected crores and gold in the name of Iran, and is now under investigation by multiple agencies.
Because of the ongoing tensions in West Asia involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, a donation drive started in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Budgam district.
Local groups went door to door in villages and also shared messages on WhatsApp, asking people to donate for those affected in Iran. Many residents from Budgam, Srinagar, Pulwama and nearby districts came forward to help. They donated gold jewellery like rings and earrings, along with steel utensils, clothes, and some cash between 5th March and 15th March 2026.
The people collecting the donations said that all items would be sent to Iran through a relief network. However, they did not give any official documents, receipts, or names of recognised organisations.
After some time, a few locals became suspicious and informed the police. When the police started checking, they found that no shipment had been arranged.
According to police estimates, the total value of the collected items is around ?17.91 crore, along with a large amount of gold and other valuables. The money was collected from different districts, including ?9.5 crore from Budgam, ?4 crore from Baramulla, and ?2 crore from Srinagar. Smaller amounts were also collected from Kulgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, and Pulwama.
In a major development, the case is now being investigated by multiple agencies, including the State Investigation Agency (SIA), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), showing the seriousness of the matter.
According to CNN-News18, a genuine appeal by the Iranian Embassy may have been misused by a network of middlemen. Officials believe that emotional and religious messages were used to convince innocent people to donate.
Police have said that action is being taken against those involved. At the same time, they clarified that there are no restrictions on donating directly to official embassy accounts.
Authorities have advised citizens to donate only through recognised and registered organisations to make sure the money and items are used properly. Legal action has already started against the individuals involved.
