'Will Decide On Sanction To Prosecute IAS Officers In Arms License Scam Case Within 6 Weeks': MHA Tells J&K&L High Court

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court was informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that it is likely to take a final call within six weeks on granting sanction for prosecution against certain IAS officers in the Arms License Scam.

The sanction is being sought in connection with an alleged large-scale arms licence racket in which, according to the CBI, lakhs of gun licences were issued to ineligible persons between 2012 and 2016 in exchange for monetary considerations, when J&K was still a state.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearing the matter when Deputy Solicitor General of India Vishal Sharma placed on record a status report filed on July 10, 2025, on behalf of the MHA.

The counsel submitted that, in compliance with the Court's detailed order dated April 24, 2025, the Ministry has received three separate communications containing proposals for sanction from the CBI and J&K Administration.

He added that the proposals are presently under examination, and action will be taken as per the existing rules upon due consideration of the material received.

When specifically asked by the Bench about the timeline for a final decision, Sharma stated that “in every likelihood” the process would not take more than six weeks. He further undertook to file a specific affidavit or status report confirming the position.

The probe covers around 16 former District Magistrates, including 13 IAS and 3 KAS officers, accused of approving licences without due process during their postings in various districts.

The MHA had earlier pointed out that earlier sanction proposals lacked complete documentation such as the CBI's formal recommendations, investigation summaries, draft sanction orders, and legal opinions from the UT's Law Department, and had directed the UT administration to furnish these before a decision could be made.

APPEARANCE:

Case-Title: Sheikh Mohd. Shafi and another vs Union of India, 2025

Mr. S.S. Ahmed, Advocate Ms. Supriya Chouhan, Advocate Mr. Rahul Raina, Advocate Mr. M. Zulker Nain Chowdhary, Advocate Mr. Kias Alam, Advocate for petitioner

Vishal Sharma, DSGI Mr. Mohsin Qadri, Sr. AAG Mr. Ahtsham Hussain Bhat, Advocate for Respondent

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