Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 13: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, has sought additional time to take a final decision regarding the grant of prosecution sanction against IAS officers allegedly involved in the much-publicised Arms Licences Scam. The development came after the MHA filed a fresh affidavit before the Jammu Wing of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on.
In its affidavit submitted in Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 09/2012) titled Sheikh Mohammad Shafi and Another versus Union of India and Others, the MHA stated that, following a Division Bench order dated August 7, 2025, a meeting was convened on August 27, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Additional Secretary (UT). Officials from the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also attended the meeting to deliberate on the CBI’s proposal for sanctioning prosecution against IAS officers named in FIR.
The affidavit, filed through CGSC Eishan Dadhichi and settled by Senior Advocate Vishal Sharma, Deputy Solicitor General of India, reveals that after examining the submissions of both the J&K Government and the CBI, the MHA decided to seek additional clarifications from the two agencies to facilitate a final decision on sanction of prosecution.
Accordingly, letters were issued on September 1, 2025, to both the J&K Administration and the CBI. The J&K Government responded on September 26, 2025, providing its comments, while the CBI’s response is still awaited. The MHA has stated that once the CBI’s input is received, the proposal will be thoroughly examined and an appropriate decision will be taken.
During the recent hearing held through virtual mode before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, DSGI Vishal Sharma informed the court that although a fresh affidavit has been filed on behalf of the MHA, it has not yet been placed on record due to certain procedural objections. The court, therefore, adjourned the matter to November 20, 2025, for further hearing.
Advocates S.S. Ahmed and Supriya Chouhan appeared for the petitioner, while Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin S. Qadri with assisting counsel Maha Majeed represented the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. |
