CBI Court Frames Charges Against Deputy Commissioner and Gun Dealer in J&K Arms License Scam
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Srinagar has framed charges against a former Deputy Commissioner (DC) and a gun dealer involved in a multi-crore arms license scam. The case, which has sent shockwaves across the region, revolves around the illegal issuance of thousands of gun licenses to ineligible people between 2012 and 2016, posing a serious threat to public safety.
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The scam came to light in 2017 when the Rajasthan Anti-Terror Squad uncovered that over 2.78 lakh gun licenses were illegally issued in J&K during 2012-2016. The CBI took over the investigation in 2018, revealing a deep-rooted conspiracy involving district magistrates, gun dealers, and middlemen. The accused allegedly issued licenses to non-residents and ineligible individuals, including defense personnel stationed outside J&K, without proper police verification or adherence to the Arms Act. These licenses were issued in exchange for illegal payments, with middlemen luring applicants from across India for monetary gains.
CBI court has now framed charges against a former Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Itrat Hussain Rafiqi, and a gun dealer, among others, for their roles in this scam. The charges include violations under the Ranbir Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Arms Act, highlighting the misuse of authority and forgery in the licensing process.
The illegal issuance of gun licenses in a sensitive region like J&K raises serious concerns about public safety and national security. Licenses were issued without verifying the applicants’ credentials, and many were granted to people who were neither residents of J&K nor posted in the region. This violation of rules not only undermined the law but also risked weapons falling into the wrong hands.
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CBI has filed multiple chargesheets in this case, naming several IAS and Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers, gun dealers, and middlemen. In 2024, the agency filed two chargesheets against 15 accused, including the former Kupwara DC and Additional District Magistrate (ADM), for their roles in issuing licenses illegally. The court’s recent ruling to frame charges against the DC and gun dealer marks progress in the legal process, though the case is still ongoing in the J&K and Ladakh High Court.
CBI has also faced challenges, as prosecution sanctions for some accused officers are still pending with the government. The High Court has expressed concern over delays in granting these sanctions, urging authorities to act swiftly to ensure justice is not delayed.
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