Arms License Scam: DB expresses displeasure, anguish over non-representation of UT ADM/UOI
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A Division Bench of High Court of J&K & Ladakh (Jammu Wing) comprising the Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice M.A. Chowdhary while hearing a much publicized Public Interest Litigation highlighting Infamous Arms Licenses Scam and Non-Grant of Prosecution Sanction against IAS/IPS/IFS Officers allegedly involved in corruption cases in J&K) expressed its deep anguish and displeasure over the non-representation of U.T. Administration and Union of India as their Counsels were not present when this high profile PIL was taken up for hearing by the Division Bench.
The Division Bench in view of the non-serious attitude of the U.T. Administration/ Union of India observed, “Neither the UT Government is represented by any Counsel nor there is any representation on behalf of the Union of India when the matter is taken up because of which this court is unable to pass any order.”
Advocate Rahul Raina appearing for the petitioners submitted that this PIL is of wide public importance and the U.T. Administration is shielding the IAS Officers allegedly involved in arms Licenses Scam and is sitting over the Prosecution Sanction files deliberately for the last more than two years and have also posted the tainted bureaucrats on prime positions whereas Prosecution Sanction was granted against JKAS Officers way back in the year 2021 and several challans have been filed in the CBI Special Courts in UT of J&K.
Advocate Rahul Raina further submitted that there cannot be two laws in J&K U.T. for similarly situated people as IAS Officers allegedly involved in Arms Licenses Scam are being shielded without any lawful justification when Prosecution Sanction has been granted in similar case of JKAS Officers.
Advocate Rahul further submitted that petitioners in December, 2023 filed a fresh application seeking impleadment of CBI which is investigating both the FIRs pertaining to Arms Licenses Scam i.e. FIR No. RCCHG051201850006 & FIR No. RCCHG051201850007 but no response has been filed either by the U.T. Administration or by the Union of India.
At this stage the Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh in the open court observed that this Court is unable to pass any order in absence of the Counsel for UT Administration/U.O.I.
Advocate Ahtsham Bhat was present on behalf of Food Corporation of India.
While parting with this order, the Division Bench directed the Registry that copy of this order be sent to the concerned Ministries of the Union of India and also to the UT Administration for necessary action.
