The CBI had registered two cases on the request of J & K Government on the allegations of bulk issuance of arms licenses in the erstwhile state of J & K during the period 2012 to 2016.

New Delhi, October 26

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at around 41 locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connected with the arms license racket. 

The searches were conducted at Srinagar, Anantnag, Banihal, Baramulla, Jammu, Doda, Rajouri, Kishtwar (Jammu & Kashmir), Leh, Delhi & Bhind (Madhya Pradesh) at the official and residential premises of around 14 then public servants including then DMs (IAS/KAS), DIO, Clerks etc; 

The searches were also conducted at around five private persons (middlemen/agents); around 10 gun houses/dealers in an on-going investigation of a case related to Arms licence racket. 

The CBI stated that during searches, Incriminating documents including issuance of arms licenses, list of beneficiaries, documents related to investment in FDRs & other sale proceeds, property documents, bank account details, locker keys, diary comprising incriminating details, arms license registers, electronic gadgets/mobile phones and some cash including old currency were recovered.

The CBI had registered two cases on the request of J & K Government and further Notification from Government of India, and taken over the investigation of two FIRs i.e in May 2018 at Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (VOK) and at police Station Vigilance Organisation Jammu (VOJ) on the allegations of bulk issuance of arms licenses in the erstwhile state of J & K during the period 2012 to 2016.

It was alleged that more than 2.78 lakh arms licences were issued to the non-entitled persons. CBI also collected documents pertaining to the issuance of said armed licences allegedly spread over 22 districts of J&K.

The officials said that during investigation and scrutiny of documents, the role of certain gun dealers was found who in connivance with the public servants- the then DM and ADM etc of concerned District, had 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 said arms licenses were issued.