CBI seeks govt nod to prosecute 3 IAS officers
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought prosecution sanction against Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and two other Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers in its probe related to alleged irregularities in the issuance and renewal of hundreds of thousands of arms licences to non-residents in Jammu & Kashmir, officials familiar with the development told HT.
Choudhary, a 2009 batch officer who was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2015, is currently posted as secretary in the tribal affairs department as well as chief executive officer (CEO) of Mission Youth in the Union territory.
The central agency’s request for sanction is mandatory to file a charge sheet.
The CBI is probing irregularities in the issuance of more than 278,000 arms licences between 2012 and 2016 (out of 449,000 issued in this period in the erstwhile state) in several districts of J&K to non-entitled people by district magistrates (DMS), deputy commissioners and licencing authorities in lieu of monetary considerations by abusing their official positions.
Choudhary’s role as district magistrate in three districts, Reasi, Kathua and Udhampur, during this period was probed by the agency.
The central agency raided his home in July, along with that of several other IAS officers, Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officers, former district magistrates, additional district magistrates, and gun houses or dealers. Apart from Choudhary, two other IAS officers against whom sanction has been sought are Niraj Kumar, who currently holds the charge of additional resident commissioner of J&K in Delhi, and Rajeev Ranjan, posted in the revenue department in J&K.
CBI arrested Ranjan in March 2020, after which he was suspended, but the government reinstated him this February.
“Sanction for five others from the state services was also sought in the case, which has already been granted to the CBI while sanction request for three IAS officers has been forwarded to the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT),” said an official, requesting anonymity.
This officer said a charge sheet will be filed against the three IAS officers as soon as the sanction is granted.