Over Rs.100 Crore Scam: CBI Gets Approval to Prosecute Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Secretary in Big Scam
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has received approval from the central government to prosecute Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Secretary Kumar Rajeev Ranjan for his alleged involvement in irregularities related to the issuance of gun licenses. This approval was granted through an order dated November 28, 2024, for a case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006.
With this sanction, Ranjan becomes the first IAS officer in this case to face prosecution. The CBI is investigating the issuance of over 2.74 lakh gun licenses between 2012 and 2016, during which Jammu and Kashmir was still a state. The licenses were allegedly granted by district magistrates, deputy commissioners, and other licensing authorities in exchange for “monetary considerations.”
Reports suggest that the scam could be worth over Rs 100 crore. The CBI had informed the court in October that it was still waiting for prosecution approval for 16 former district magistrates, including 13 IAS officers and three KAS officers. These officials are accused of issuing gun licenses illegally to ineligible individuals during their postings in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In November, a High Court Division Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice MA Chowdhary, expressed concern over the “selective prosecution” in this case. The court noted that while the CBI had completed its investigation, the Ministry of Home Affairs had not yet sanctioned prosecution for the accused officials. The Bench specifically mentioned Ranjan, who had served as the district magistrate of Kupwara, and against whom the CBI had filed a case on October 16, 2018.
Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, public servants like IAS officers require prior approval from the concerned authority before they can be prosecuted.
In a related development, earlier this year, the Enforcement Directorate filed charges against nearly two dozen people, including Ranjan’s father, Kripa Shankar Roy, and his brother, Jyoti Ranjan, for their alleged involvement in money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate has accused them of jeopardizing the security of the state and has sought action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
