Srinagar, Oct 12 (GNS): Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday carried raid at the house of Baseer Ahmad Khan, a week after he was relieved as advisor to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Besides raids were carried at around 40 locations including at Srinagar, Anantnag, Banihal, Baramulla, Jammu, Doda, Rajouri, Kishtwar besides Leh, Delhi and Bhind.
Official sources told GNS that a team of CBI from New Delhi along accompanied by local police carried the raid at the house of Basheer Ahmed Khan at Bulbul Bagh Baghat. When this report was filed, the raid was going. Further details are awaited.
The raids are being carried in connection with fake gun license racket, sources said. Baseer Khan, who remained as advisor to Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu and his successor Manoj Sinha from March 2020, was relieved after the CBI top brass reportedly informed the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, about his name figuring in the gun license racket. Subsequently, the MHA relieved BAseer Khan from the post of Advisor. Even the order issued by the government to relieve Khan had mention of MHA.
“Pursuant to communication No. 15030/40/2019-J&K dated 4th October, 2021, of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Baseer Ahmad Khan (Retired IAS:2000) is hereby relieved from the post of Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with immediate effect,” reads the government order issued on October 5.
In a statement issued in the evening, the Central Bureau of Investigation said that it conducted searches at around 41 locations including at Srinagar, Anantnag, Banihal, Baramulla, Jammu, Doda, Rajouri, Kishtwar besides Leh, Delhi & Bhind (Madhya Pradesh) at the official and residential premises of around 14 then public servants including then DMs (IAS/KAS), DIO, Clerks etc; around five private persons (middlemen/agents); around 10 Gun houses/dealers in an on-going investigation of a case related to Arms licence racket.
“During searches, Incriminating documents including issuance of arms licenses, list of beneficiaries, documents related to investment in FDRs & other sale proceeds, property documents, bank account details, locker keys, diary comprising incriminating details, arms license Registers, electronic gadgets/mobile phones and some cash including old currency were recovered,” the statement reads.
CBI had registered two cases on the request of J & K Government and further Notification from Government of India, and taken over the investigation of two FIRs i.e No.18 of 2018 dated 17.05.2018 earlier registered at Police Station Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (VOK) and FIR No. 11 of 2018 dated 17.05.2018 of Police Station Vigilance Organisation Jammu (VOJ) on the allegations of bulk issuance of arms licenses in the erstwhile State of J & K during the period 2012 to 2016.
It was alleged that more than 2.78 lakh arms licences were issued to the non-entitled persons. “CBI also collected documents pertaining to the issuance of said armed licences allegedly spread over 22 districts of J&K,” it said, adding, “During investigation and scrutiny of documents, the role of certain gun dealers was found who in connivance with the public servants i.e. the then DM and ADM etc of concerned District, had allegedly issued such illegal arms licenses to the ineligible persons. It was also alleged that the persons who got these licenses were not residents of the places from where the said arms licenses were issued.” Investigation is continuing, the CBI added. (GNS)
