CBI raids across J&K, Delhi in arms license case

The CBI on Saturday raided 40 locations across Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi including the residence of senior J&K IAS officers in Srinagar and around 20 gun houses, in connection with the illegal sale of gun licenses. In J&K the raids took place in Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla. The agency raided the residence of IAS officer Shahid Iqbal Choudhary in Srinagar,  Choudhury is currently Secretary (Tribal Affairs) and CEO Mission Youth, J&K. He previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Kathua, Reasi, Rajouriand Udhampur districts, during which time he allegedly issued thousands of licenses - under fake names - to people in other states and UTs. At least half a dozen former Deputy Commissioners are being investigated by the central agency.

They are  reportedly accused of issuing the licenses in bulk allegedly based on forged documents to non-residents between 2012 and 2016 “in lieu of monetary consideration” in violation of norms. Since 2012 over two lakh gun licenses have been issued illegally from J&K. It is believed to be India's biggest gun license racket. In February last year the agency arrested a private individual who was "involved in various financial transactions with other co-accused, including public servants". The CBI has previously said it has unearthed a "deep-rooted conspiracy" in this matter.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police initially probed the case before it was handed over to the CBI. The CBI registered the case in 2018 a year after Rajasthan’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) unearthed the scam. The ATS arrested over 50 people for their alleged involvement in the illegal issuance of the licences. As per information over 3,000 permits were illegally granted allegedly in the name of army personnel. The case was handed over to CBI by former Governor NN Vohra, after he found the scam was being run J&K government officers.