CBI carries out search at 40 locations in J&K, Delhi
TNN Bureau. Updated: 7/25/2021 11:45:07 AM
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Jammu: The CBI on Saturday conducted searches at 40 locations in Jammu and Kashmir, and in the national capital in connection with cases related to alleged irregularities in the issuance of over 2.78 lakh arms licences to non-residents on forged documents during 2012-16, officials said.
The search operation was spread across Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag, Baramulla and Delhi at the official and residential premises of around 20 gun houses among others in an ongoing investigation of a case related to arms licence racket, a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.
The agency had registered two separate FIRs into the alleged irregularities on October 16, 2018.
The searches were carried out in connection with a probe into two cases pertaining to alleged issuance of around two lakh arms licences from different districts of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
"During investigation and scrutiny of documents, some gun dealers were found hand -in- gloves with government officials. It was also alleged that the persons who got these licences were not residents of the places from where the said arms licenses were issued," CBI spokesperson R C Joshi said in a statement.
It is alleged in the FIR that government officials with other accused issued arms licences to non-residents of state in violation of rules and received illegal gratification.
The CBI spokesperson said it is alleged that more than 2.78 lakh arms licences were issued to the non-entitled persons during 2012-16.
"The CBI also collected documents pertaining to the issuance of said armed licences allegedly spread over 20 districts of J&K," Joshi said.
The Rajasthan ATS had unearthed the scandal in 2017 and had arrested over 50 people for their alleged involvement in the illegal issuance of arms licences. According to the ATS, over 3,000 permits were granted allegedly in the name of Army personnel.
Based on ATS findings, then Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra had handed over the matter to the CBI.