SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has fixed August 7, 2025, for hearing the long-pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to the multi-crore arms licence scam. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal directed the re-listing of the case, which could not be heard on Thursday due to paucity of time.
The court was informed by Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin Qadri and counsel Maha Majeed that the General Administration Department (GAD) has submitted a fresh status report as directed in April. Petitioners’ counsel, Advocate S.S. Ahmed, confirmed receiving the report.
The scam, being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) since 2018, involves the alleged issuance of over 2.63 lakh arms licences across Jammu and Kashmir between 2012 and 2016 by various District Magistrates, purportedly in exchange for bribes. The CBI has registered two FIRs and filed over 15 charge-sheets, primarily against JKAS officers. However, prosecution sanction against nine IAS officers remains largely pending, with only one sanctioned and charge-sheeted so far.
The PIL highlights deep-rooted corruption and the alleged reluctance of the J&K Government to act against senior officials. The matter will now be taken up on August 7 for further consideration. (KNT)
