₹100-crore J&K gun license scam: Home Ministry probes money trail linking IAS officers to arms dealers

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has intensified scrutiny of the sprawling Jammu and Kashmir gun license scam, seeking clarity on whether a “money trail” connects eight senior IAS officers to arms dealers allegedly involved in the multi-crore racket.

In a communication to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dated September 1, the MHA asked the agency to confirm whether there is “concrete evidence” suggesting district magistrates and other officials received a share of proceeds from illegal arms licenses issued between 2012 and 2016. The letter forms part of the ministry’s status report submitted to the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on October 9.

The CBI is investigating alleged irregularities in the issuance of over 2.74 lakh gun licenses when J&K was still a state. According to agency estimates, the scam may have siphoned more than ₹100 crore, with licenses granted to armed and paramilitary personnel, often bypassing legal procedures and local residency requirements.

The latest inquiry follows an August 27 meeting between senior MHA officials, CBI representatives, and the J&K administration. The IAS officers under the scanner had served as district magistrates across Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Baramulla, Pulwama, Kargil, and Leh during the 2012–2016 period. Prosecution sanction is required under the Prevention of Corruption Act before charging public servants of their rank.

The MHA specifically cited allegations against two officers — one accused of “parking” ₹12–18 lakh in his mother’s account, and another of routing ₹2.8 lakh through two women’s accounts during demonetization. The ministry sought details of any financial transactions or dealings in movable and immovable property linking these officers to arms dealers.

The ministry also questioned why the investigation covers only 2012–2016, noting that some officers held posts in the districts even earlier. Meanwhile, the High Court is awaiting a fresh affidavit from the MHA, following a directive on August 8 to submit a “specific status report” regarding the CBI’s prosecution request.

According to the CBI, about 95% of licenses during the period went to armed and paramilitary personnel who were neither residents of J&K nor posted in the districts where the licenses were issued.

Petitioner counsel Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad said the alleged network extends beyond eight IAS officers to include nine IAS officials, over 15 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officers, judicial clerks, middlemen, and gun dealers.

While the J&K administration allowed prosecution of KAS officers and judicial clerks in 2021, the decision on IAS officers remains largely pending, with only one officer sanctioned for prosecution so far.