J&K fake gun licence case: HC extends SIT investigation to two more FIRs

The High Court here has dismissed pleas seeking quashing of additional FIRs in connection with an investigation into the fake gun licence case and ordered a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into two cases registered in the Rajouri district over a decade ago.

It, however, said the order shall not preclude the government from transferring the investigation into all FIRs to any specialised probe agency such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

An FIR was registered on February 7, 2011, at Janipur police station in Jammu after two persons carrying 12 bore guns were nabbed and their weapons licenses, issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mendhar (Poonch), were found to have addresses of Kupwara, Kathua and Budhal.

An SIT was constituted, and it found that some fake gun licenses were prepared in the office of the additional district magistrate, Rajouri, and the SDM of Mendhar.

Accordingly, one docket in respect of 216 gun licenses was sent to the Rajouri police station, and another for 179 gun licenses to the Mendhar police station, leading to the registration of separate FIRs in 2011. Two more FIRs were registered in Kandi and Thanamandi in Rajouri district in 2012 and 2015.

Various petitions have been filed by the accused, including some government officials, seeking quashing of the four FIRs, on the ground that an FIR has already been registered in respect of the same incident with the Janipur Police Station.

Disposing of the petitions seeking quashing of the additional FIRs, Justice Rajnesh Oswal on July 11 said there was no merit in the pleas, agreeing with the argument of the Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, who vehemently opposed the plea.

The judge also said the FIRs registered with Thanamandi and Kandi police stations are required to be investigated by the SIT already constituted by the government.

"Accordingly, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, is directed to transfer the investigation in the two FIRs to the same SIT, constituted to investigate the earlier case registered at police station Janipur," the high court said.

It directed the Inspector General of Police to monitor the SIT probe and ensure that it is concluded as expeditiously as possible and the final report is filed before the competent court in accordance with law.