Srinagar- Anti-Corruption Court (CBI Cases) here on Saturday framed charges against four accused persons including former District Magistrate Kulgam in connection with fraudulent and illegal issuance of gun licences in the south Kashmir district between 2012 to 2016.
The case had been registered in pursuance of notification dated 5 October 2018 issued by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of personnel & training) government of India New Delhi and with consent of the then State Government of J&K for transfer of FIR No. 18/2018 dated 17.05.2018 from Police Station VOK to CBI Chandigarh.
As per the CBI, during the period from 2012 to 2016 the District Magistrate of various Districts of J&K including District Kulgam fraudulently and illegally issued gun licences.
In the charge sheet filed by the CBI, the accused persons include Farooq Ahmad Khan, the than DM Kulgam (now retired), Syed Farooq Ahmad (ex-Stenographer/Judicial Clerk (now retired), Mohammed Imran Lohri, Owner of M/S Imran Gun House Arms and Ammunition Dealer Wannoh Anantnag and Mohammad Siddiq Proprietor M/S Kotwal Gun House Arms & Ammunition, dealer, Kotwal Mohalla Anantnag.
The former DM of Kulgam, Farooq Ahmad Khan, has been accused to have fraudulently and ilelgaly issued gun licences in connivance with other accused. As per the CBI, the licences authority brazenly flouted the norms, procedures and rules governing the subject in lieu of “monetary considerations by abuse of their official position as public servant.”
“This court is of the considered view, that …material evidence (produced by CBI before the court) is sufficient to raise the grave suspicion as regards to the alleged involvement of accused persons in commission of alleged crime ie abuse of official position by accused No. 1 & 2 (DM and Judicial Clerk) in pursuance to criminal conspiracy hatched with co-accused no 3 to 4, whereby the accused have fraudulently and illegally issued the Arms licence in favour of many persons who were neither residing nor posted in District Kulgam at relevant time,” Suresh Chander Special Judge Anti-Corruption (CBI Cases) said.
“Moreover, the Arms licences have been issued without verification of character and antecedents for monetary considerations,” the court said, adding, “Hence, prima facie case is made out for framing the charge against the accused persons.” The accused persons, the court said, are charge-sheeted for commission of offences U/Sec. 120-B, 420 RPC r/w Section 5(1) (d)/5(2) J&K PC Act. Svt.2006.
“The accused persons are chargesheeted accordingly. Charge is read over & explained to the accused persons. The accused persons have denied the charge & have claimed for trial,” the court said, adding, “Therefore, Prosecution/CBI through Ld. PP CBI directed to produce witnesses.”
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