https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

J&K Arms Licence Scam: MHA Likely to Decide on Prosecution Sanction Against IAS Officers Within Six Weeks, High Court Told

MHA to decide within six weeks on sanction to prosecute IAS, KAS officers in J&K arms licence scam; CBI alleges 2.74 lakh illegal licences.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Jammu:— In a major development in the Jammu & Kashmir arms licence scam, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court that it is likely to take a final decision within six weeks on granting sanction for prosecution against several IAS and KAS officers accused in the case.

The update came during the hearing of the case Sheikh Mohd. Shafi and Another vs Union of India, before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh (Acting) and Justice Rajnesh Oswal. Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) Vishal Sharma submitted a status report dated July 10, 2025, on behalf of the MHA, outlining the current status of the sanction process.

read also: Major Administrative Reshuffle in J&K: 14 IAS & JKAS Officers Transferred, Anshul Garg Made New Divisional Commissioner Kashmir

Background: Large-Scale Irregularities in Arms Licensing

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the scam, has alleged that over 2.74 lakh arms licences were issued illegally between 2012 and 2016 in exchange for bribes, when Jammu & Kashmir was still a state. The fraudulent licences were reportedly issued to non-residents and individuals without verification, often in bulk.

The alleged scam involves at least 16 former District Magistrates, including 13 IAS and 3 KAS officers, who are accused of bypassing mandatory protocols while issuing arms licences across various districts.

Status of Prosecution Sanctions

DSGI Sharma informed the court that the MHA has now received three separate communications from the CBI and the J&K Administration, including the required documentation such as:

  • CBI’s formal recommendations
  • Investigation summaries
  • Draft sanction orders
  • Legal opinions from the Union Territory’s Law Department

These were submitted in compliance with the Court’s earlier order dated April 24, 2025, which had directed the authorities to address deficiencies in prior sanction proposals.

While the materials are under examination, Sharma assured the Court that, “in every likelihood,” a final decision from the MHA would not take more than six weeks. He further committed to filing a formal affidavit or updated status report confirming the Ministry’s stance.

Court Proceedings

The Division Bench questioned the Centre on the prolonged delay and sought a clear timeline for action. The Court emphasized the importance of accountability, especially when senior bureaucrats are involved.

Advocates S.S. Ahmed, Supriya Chouhan, Rahul Raina, M. Zulker Nain Chowdhary, and Kias Alam appeared for the petitioners. Vishal Sharma (DSGI) represented the Union of India, while Senior Additional Advocate General (Sr. AAG) Mohsin Qadri and Advocate Ahtsham Hussain Bhat appeared for the UT Administration.

Previous Court Remarks

The High Court has, in previous hearings, expressed serious concern over delays in granting prosecution sanction. In one earlier hearing, the Court criticized the J&K administration for promoting one of the accused IAS officers, questioning whether there was a “dearth of honest officers” in the Union Territory.

It also reprimanded both the UT administration and the MHA for sending and receiving incomplete or inconsistent proposals, further stalling progress in a matter of significant public concern.

read also: Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal to Retire in December; LG Kavinder Gupta Likely to Pick Successor from Erstwhile J&K Cadre

What’s Next?

The case will now await the MHA’s final decision within the next six weeks. Once sanction is granted (if at all), the CBI can move ahead with prosecution in the designated trial courts. The High Court is expected to take up the matter again based on the next status report.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
SJVN Ltd Appoints Shailender Aggarwal as Chief Internal Auditor to Strengthen Financial Oversight
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog Launches ‘Mission Digital ShramSetu’ to Empower 490 Million Informal Workers with AI and Blockchain
Tribal Art Exhibition 2025
“Silent Conversation” Tribal Art Exhibition 2025 to Spotlight Tiger Conservation & Tribal Wisdom in Delhi
IPS Puran Kumar suicide Haryana
Action in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar Suicide Case: CM to Act Against DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia Following IAS Amneet Kumar’s Complaint
Ministry of Coal
Coal Ministry Allocates 5 New Blocks to Boost Production, Investment, and Job Creation in India
Supreme Court
Supreme Court Mandates “Merit Alone” for District Judge Posts, Opens Door for Judicial Officers with 7-Year Experience
IAS Nagarjuna B
IAS Nagarjuna B. Gowda Responds to Allegations of Reducing ₹51 Crore Mining Fine to ₹4,000
Powergrid1 Power Grid
POWERGRID Acquires Renewable Energy Transmission Project in Madhya Pradesh to Boost Grid Capacity
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Officer C
"She Believed She Could, So She Did" - The Inspiring Journey of IAS Officer C. Vanmathi
From herding buffaloes and facing early marriage pressure to becoming an IAS officer, C. Vanmathi’s journey...
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
SJVN Ltd Appoints Shailender Aggarwal as Chief Internal Auditor to Strengthen Financial Oversight
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog Launches ‘Mission Digital ShramSetu’ to Empower 490 Million Informal Workers with AI and Blockchain
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT