The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a probe into a massive scam in illegal issuance and renewal of arms licences under various Deputy Commissioners in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly from 2012 to 2016, on forged documents. It is alleged that 4.29 lakh licences were either issued or renewed in the State over the past decade.
The issue came to light during probe by the Rajasthan Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2017, following which the J&K Governor referred the matter in August for CBI probe.
Accordingly, the CBI has registered two FIRs. “The cases pertain to alleged irregularities in issuance and renewal of arms licences by the then Deputy Commissioners of various districts, particularly Udhampur and Kupwara in lieu of monetary considerations,” said an official.
The J&K government’s Home Department alleged that thousands of arms licences were given from 2012 to 2016, which was a matter of grave concern as the State was already faced with several internal security challenges.
As alleged, the officials brazenly flouted the rules and norms in doing so. Most of the arms licences were issued to those residing outside the State. No records of such permits were allegedly maintained.
Rajasthan’s ATS had arrested more than 50 people for alleged role in illegal issuance and renewal of arms licences. Over 3,000 permits had been given purportedly in the name of Army personnel. The squad had also seized a large number of firearms and licences.
