Srinagar, March 20: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Wednesday that it has produced a charge sheet against fifteen accused involved in a major gun license scam in Kashmir.
These charge sheets were filed in the ongoing investigation into the issuance of a large number of firearms licenses to ineligible individuals in Jammu and Kashmir during the period 2012–2016.
Today, the CBI filed two charge sheets against a total of 15 accused in the case, which has been under scrutiny since 2018.
The case originated from a request made by the then-State Government of Jammu and Kashmir and a subsequent notification from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India.
The investigation was launched following the registration of FIR No. 18 of 2018 dated May 17, 2018, by the Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (VOK).
According to the investigation, the charge sheets were filed against individuals allegedly involved in the illegal issuance of firearms licenses, including the then District Magistrate of Kupwara, gun house dealers, and middlemen.
The accused are facing charges under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act), and Arms Act.
As per the CBI, the investigation revealed a nexus between the licensing authority, middlemen, and gun house dealers. It was found that gun house dealers enticed defence personnel stationed in distant locations across the country to obtain arms licenses from Kupwara district illegally.
These personnel, neither resident of the state nor stationed in the district, managed to acquire licenses without undergoing the mandatory police verification process. It is alleged that illegal gratification per license was solicited and collected by the gun house dealers and middlemen. The issuance of a large number of arms licenses in a bordering district like Kupwara in an illegal manner to ineligible individuals has raised serious concerns regarding law and order as well as public safety, a CBI investigation revealed.
The CBI has further stated that the findings presented are based on their investigation and the evidence collected. It is reiterated that, under Indian law, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty after a fair trial. The investigation into this matter continues as the CBI endeavors to uncover all facets of this alleged conspiracy.
Fresh western disturbance to affect J&K today
Srinagar, March 20 : As the day temperature has gone up in J&K parts, the weatherman here has predicted two-day wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow (March 21), saying that light to moderate rains and snow is expected at many places.
A fresh Western Disturbance is affecting Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow and under its influence light to moderate rain and snow is expected to commence in parts of Kashmir from tomorrow afternoon onwards.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather would remain generally cloudy; there is a possibility of light to moderate rains, snow at many places with thunder, lightning and gusty winds over plans of Kashmir and Jammu division.
An Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng also stated that by evening tomorrow, most parts in Kashmir Valley would have received a spell of rain and snow.
Rain and snow can activities can continue in some areas on 22nd March, he said, adding that least impact of WD is expected in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts.
There is a possibility of hailstorm and gusty winds in some areas during this period, he added.
However, the MeT Director stated that the weather would remain generally dry on March 23 while on March 24, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain and snow at isolated places.
While the weather is expected to remain dry during March 25 and 26, the MeT Director said on March 27 to March 29, the weather would remain generally cloudy with possibility of light rain and snow at few places—(KNO)
