Srinagar, Feb 13(KNS): In a case concerning the illegal issuance of a large number of Arms Licenses, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against 21 accused persons/entities.
These include the then Arms License Authorities (DM/ADMs) – Rajeev Ranjan(IAS) and Itrat Hussain Rafiqui, Judicial Clerks, and other officials of the Office of Deputy Magistrate, Kupwara, along with Gun House Dealers/Agents/Middlemen including Rahul Grover, Syed Addel Hussain Shah, and Syed Akeel Shah before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Jammu.
On 12.02.2024, the Special Court took cognizance of the PC. The investigation initiated by ED was based on various FIRs registered by The Anti-Terrorist Squad/Special Operations Group, Jaipur, Rajasthan Police, and Central Bureau of Investigation, Chandigarh under various sections of IPC, 1860, and Arms Act.
ED's investigation uncovered that during the relevant period, the then DM/ADMs, Judicial Clerks, and other officials of the Office of District Magistrate, Kupwara, in collusion with Gun House Dealers and Agents/Middlemen, conspired and issued/renewed a large number of illegal Arms Licenses to ineligible applicants in exchange for monetary consideration by flouting various norms and procedures of the Arms Act.
The accused were found to be in possession of proceeds of crime generated from the above scheduled offences.
Earlier, ED had issued a Provisional Attachment Order attaching movable and immovable properties of the accused amounting to Rs 4.69 Crore and seized cash totaling Rs. 1.58 Crore & Gold during search & seizure action. The attachment and seizure have been confirmed by Ld. Adjudicating Authority, PMLA, New Delhi. Further investigation is ongoing.(KNS).