CBI raids in Jammu and Kashmir: Raid on 40 locations in gun license scam, many officers including IAS Shahid Chaudhary, who contested elections, also under siege

The CBI on Saturday raided 40 locations including the residence of Jammu and Kashmir IAS officer Shahid Iqbal Choudhary in Srinagar in connection with the gun licensing case. Choudhary is a 2009 batch IAS officer and is currently posted as Administrative Secretary, Department of Tribal Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir.

Chaudhary has served as the Deputy Commissioner of Kathua, Reasi, Rajouri and Udhampur districts. It is alleged that during this period he issued thousands of licenses in fake names to the people of other states and union territories. The central agency is probing at least eight former deputy commissioners.

Rajasthan ATS had exposed the scam in 2017 and arrested more than 50 accused. According to the ATS, over 3,000 permits were allegedly given in the name of Army personnel. After this, the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir NN Vohra handed over the investigation in the case to the CBI.