Srinagar, Mar 28 (KNS): Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations on March 24 across the Union Territory of J&K in Arms license case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 against serving and retired bureaucrats, officials and arms ammunition dealers.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a spokesperson ED initiated money laundering investigation in the said case on the basis of FIRs dated 16.08.2018 registered by the Special Crime Branch of Central Bureau of Investigation, Chandigarh.
The statement reads that searches have been conducted at 11 different locations including residential premises of Rajeev Ranjan IAS (former DC, Kupwara), Itrat Hussain KAS (former DC Kupwara), Ravinder Kumar Bhatt KAS (former ADC Kupwara), Tariq Ather and Gajan Singh (both former judicial clerks at Arms Section, DC Office Kupwara).
“Residential premises of 6-arms dealers of J&K viz. Amarnath Bhargava (Varun Armoury), his brother Mukesh Bhargava (Bhargava Gun House), Surjeet Singh (Deshmesh Armoury), Mohinder Kotwal (Mohinder Kotwal Arms & Ammunition), Manohar Singh (Swaran Arms & Ammunition) and Devi Dayal Khajuria (Khajuria Arms) were also searched by the ED officers,” it reads.
It reads that searches were conducted till late night on March 24 wherein various incriminating documents in the form of property documents and loose papers revealing transactions between the arms dealers/ brokers and Government officers/ officials have been recovered and seized.
“Also, cash amounting to Rs. 1.58 Crore, 1.76 kgs of gold valuing Rs. 92.30 lakhs (approx) and digital exhibits have been seized during the course of search operation.”
It reads that the searches conducted were in furtherance of investigation being conducted in the said case wherein it was revealed that bulk issuance of arms licenses has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir between 2012 and 2016 which saw over 2.78 lakh arms licenses issued to various defense and paramilitary personnel by flouting the prescribed guidelines.
“Due procedure in lieu of illicit monetary consideration which was paid to the Government officers and officials through arms dealers and brokers and proceeds of crime were generated by conspiracy between Government officers and officials and Arms dealers and Arms brokers which is a criminal misconduct under Prevention of Corruption Act.”
It reads that initial estimation of proceeds of Crime generated in this case is to the tune of Rs. 40 Crore, while further investigation in the case is under progress. (KNS)