https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

MHA Seeks Prosecution Proposals for Three IAS Officers in J&K Arms Licence Scam

The CBI is investigating alleged irregularities in the issuance of over 2.74 lakh gun licences between 2012 and 2016
MHA Logo
Indian Masterminds Stories

Two months after granting prosecution sanction against Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Secretary Kumar Rajeev Ranjan for alleged irregularities in arms licences, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has now directed the Union Territory administration to submit comprehensive proposals for similar action against three other officers—Ms. Yasha Mudgal (2007-batch IAS officer), Mr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary (2009-batch IAS officer), and Mr. Neeraj Kumar (2010-batch IAS officer).

Also Read: Rajasthan HC Cracks Down on Bureaucrats for Delayed Salary Payments, Halts Their Salaries

In a letter dated February 21, 2025, Mr. C.P. Vinod Kumar, Undersecretary in the MHA, informed the J&K Chief Secretary that the previous recommendations were incomplete, as they lacked key enclosures, including letters from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), DVDs, and a legal opinion from the J&K Law Department.

These officers are among 16 former District Magistrates (13 IAS and three KAS officers) accused of issuing lakhs of allegedly illegal gun licences across India between 2012 and 2016, when J&K was still a state.

MHA’s Directive for Complete Documentation

The MHA has instructed the J&K administration to submit the proposals within a week, ensuring they include all essential documents such as:

  • Authenticated copies of FIRs
  • Witness statements
  • Investigation reports
  • Recovery memos
  • Disclosure statements
  • Draft sanction orders
  • Written defence statements of the accused officers
  • Remarks from the investigating officer

Current Positions of the Accused Officers

  • Ms. Yasha Mudgal – Commissioner-Secretary, Tourism Department
  • Mr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary – Currently on leave
  • Mr. Neeraj Kumar – Administrative Secretary, Transport Department

The J&K Arms Licence Scam

The CBI is investigating alleged irregularities in the issuance of over 2.74 lakh gun licences between 2012 and 2016. The scam, estimated to exceed Rs. 100 crore, involves allegations that district magistrates, deputy commissioners, and licensing authorities issued gun permits to ineligible individuals in exchange for monetary benefits.

In October 2024, the CBI informed the court that it was still awaiting prosecution sanction against all 16 former district magistrates involved in the case.

High Court Questions “Selective Prosecution”

On November 25, 2024, the J&K and Ladakh High Court Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M.A. Chowdhary, expressed dissatisfaction over what it termed “selective prosecution”, noting that while the CBI had completed its investigation, the MHA had yet to approve prosecution for several officers.

During a hearing on December 27, 2024, the J&K General Administration Department (GAD) informed the court that it had forwarded its views on the three officers to the MHA and was awaiting a final decision.

Last year, Mr. Kumar Rajeev Ranjan (2010-batch IAS officer) became the first IAS officer to face prosecution in the case after the central government granted the CBI permission to proceed against him. He also holds additional charges of the Revenue and Skill Development departments.

Also Read: IAS Nidhi Chhibber’s Tenure as Addl Secy at NITI Aayog Extended by Two Months


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SECI
SECI Gets New Leadership: IAS Akash Tripathi to Lead India’s Renewable Energy Driver
IPS Officer Indian Police Services
From UP Police to National Tech Leadership: IIT Alumnus Akhil Kumar Appointed CEO of Digital India Corporation
Indian Oil IOCL
Indian Oil Increases Russian Crude Imports to 24% in Q1; Targets 98 MTPA Capacity by 2026
Kerala Government
Kerala Govt Transfers 11 IAS Officers, Creates Two New Ex-Cadre Posts; Minhaj Alam Appointed CMD, KSEB
ACC_Appointments Committee of Cabinet
ACC Approves Major Reshuffle: 15 Bureaucrats, Including 12 IAS, Promoted to Additional Secy; Sudeep Jain Named NCW Member Secy
IAS Aunjaneya Kumar Singh IAS Anjaneya Singh
IAS Aunjaneya Singh Stays in UP, Centre Approves One-Year Extension After 48-Hour Exit
Chhattisgarh CM Investment Japan visit (3)
Chhattisgarh Woos Japanese Investors in Osaka, Signs $11.45 Million MoU with Sartaj Foods
MP Power Sector Recruitment 2025
MP CM Mohan Yadav to Distribute Appointment Letters to 1,060 Power Sector Recruits in Bhopal on August 26
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SECI
SECI Gets New Leadership: IAS Akash Tripathi to Lead India’s Renewable Energy Driver
IPS Officer Indian Police Services
From UP Police to National Tech Leadership: IIT Alumnus Akhil Kumar Appointed CEO of Digital India Corporation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT