Illegal arms license case: CBI launches multiple raids across J&K, Delhi

Deputy magistrates in Jammu and Kashmir are accused of issuing over 3,000 arms licenses in bulk, allegedly based on forged documents to non-residents between 2012 and 2016 “in lieu of monetary consideration” in violation of norms.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Police initially probed the case before it was handed over to the CBI. (Logo of Central Bureau of Investigation)

Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday conducted raids at multiple locations, including premises of bureaucrats, in Jammu and Kashmir, and Delhi in connection with its probe into a case related to illegal issuance of arms licenses.

The CBI registered the case in 2018 a year after Rajasthan's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) unearthed the scam and made arrests in connection the issuance of the licences in violation of norms. According to the ATS, over 3,000 permits were illegally granted allegedly in the name of army personnel.

Magistrates in Jammu and Kashmir are accused of issuing the licenses in bulk allegedly based on forged documents to non-residents between 2012 and 2016 "in lieu of monetary consideration", people aware of the matter said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police initially probed the case before it was handed over to the CBI.

A CBI spokesman said the agency is conducting searches at around 40 locations in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag, Baramulla, Delhi including the official and residential premises of certain public servants including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Kashmir Administrative Serice Officers. The raids were also being conducted on premises of gun dealers, the spokesman added.

“During investigation and scrutiny of documents, the role of certain gun dealers was found, who in connivance with the public servants...allegedly issued such illegal arms licenses to the ineligible persons. It was also alleged that the persons who got these licenses were not residents of the places from where the arms licenses were issued. The investigation is continuing,” the spokesman said.

IAS officer Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said his official residence in Srinagar was also searched on Saturday. “With reference to media reports I’ve to confirm that CBI did search my residence & found nothing incriminating in ongoing arms license probe. Media friends may note the probe covers 4 years across all districts. I am fully answerable to CBI for my tenure. Stats from my tenure are below” he tweeted while citing the number of arms licences issued by him as deputy magistrate of Reasi, Udhampur, and Kathua between 2012 and 2016.

The CBI in December 2019 carried out searches at over a dozen locations in Srinagar, Jammu, Gurgaon, and Noida in connection with the case.