Arms Licence Scam: J&K Govt fails to file latest status report; DB grants two weeks’ time
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a significant development, the Arms Licences Scam involving high-ranking IAS/JKAS Officers has once again taken centre stage in the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The bench, comprised of Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice M.A. Chowdhary, heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking prosecution sanctions in corruption cases, including the arms license scam. The court’s attention was drawn to the government’s failure to submit a timely status report as per previous directives. The PIL, presented through virtual mode by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed and Advocate Rahul Raina, highlighted the government’s sluggish response in providing prosecution sanctions for cases, notably the CBI investigations with FIR numbers RCCHG051201850006 and RCCHG05120185007, linked to the Arms Licence Scam. The court had initially instructed the government to submit a status report by June 2, 2023, a deadline that the government failed to meet. Advocate Ahmed emphasized the critical nature of the case, underlining the potential national security implications due to the multi-crore Arms Licence Scam. While sanction had been granted for JKAS officers, the process for IAS Officers appeared to be caught in bureaucratic delays. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), GOI, had previously requested the J&K government to address deficiencies in their prosecution sanction proposal. Expressing concern over the government’s inaction, Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh remarked on the gravity of the issue, given its wide public importance. Senior Advocates S.S. Nanda and Monika Kohli, representing the Government of J&K, sought an additional two weeks to adhere to the court’s directives from June 2nd. Granting the extension, the Division Bench underscored the importance of prompt action and directed the respondents to fulfill their obligations in accordance with the court’s orders. DSGI Vishal Sharma also appeared on behalf of DoPT, GOI, indicating the central government’s involvement in the matter.
Recognizing the public interest implications of the case, the Division Bench instructed the Registry to reschedule the PIL for September 20, 2023, when the matter will be revisited. The delay in this high-profile case continues to draw attention, raising questions about the efficacy of the legal and administrative processes involved.
