JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should not be used as a weapon. He assured the House that police verification in the union territory must follow the procedure laid down by the court.
Speaking on Friday during discussions on grants to his department in the ongoing Budget Session, Abdullah acknowledged concerns raised by lawmakers regarding police verification in recruitment. He cited a ruling by the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh High Court, which held that individuals cannot be held guilty for the actions of their relatives. “There is no law anywhere that my children should be punished for my wrongs,” he said.
His remarks follow his earlier call for relaxation of police verification in government job recruitment. “The CID has received a copy of the High Court order and will be required to follow it in verification cases, as there is no alternative,” he said.
During the discussion on departmental grants, Abdullah reiterated that police verification should not be used as a tool of punishment.
“When we deny someone a job based on CID verification, we are using it as a weapon. That is not the role of the CID,” he said.
