SRINAGAR: The CBI raided 40 locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi this morning, including a senior residence of J & K Ias Officer Shahid Iqbal Choudhary in Srinagar, in connection with the sale of illegal weapons licenses.
In J & K raids occurred in Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag, and Baramulla.
Mr. Choudhury is the Secretary (Tribal Affairs) and CEO Youth Mission, J & K. He previously served as Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Reuration, Rajouriand Udhampur District, during that time he was suspected of issuing thousands of licenses – under fake names – to people People in other states and UTS.
At least eight former deputy commissioners were being investigated by the central body.
Since 2012 more than two Lakh weapons licenses have been illegally released from J & K. It is believed to be the largest racket of weapon licenses in India.
Last year two officials, including officers IAS Rajiv Ranjan, were arrested by the CBI. Mr. Ranjan and Itrat Hussain Rafiqui, during their term as deputy commissioner of Kupwara Regency, allegedly illegally issued several licenses.
In February last year the body caught private individuals who were “involved in various financial transactions with other joint accusations, including civil servants”.
The CBI previously said that he had explored a “rooted conspiracy” in this matter.
Fraud was first discovered by the anti-terror troops Rajasthan in 2017, when they arrested the brother of the Ranjan and other people who worked as an intermediary for a weapons dealer.
However, the J & K government, protect the defendant with the guise of investigating alertness.
