Over 200 fake gun licences issued in J&K

"As many as 209 fake gun licences of different districts have been issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Mendhar . Photo copies of these fake gun licences have been collected by the police," they said.

Besides the SDM, judicial clerk Mohmmad Khalik, and three others Harpal Singh, Suresh Kumar and Rahul Grover, all owning gun units in Jammu have been accused of being involved.

The highest number of 53 fake gun licences have been issued in Rajouri, 30 in Poonch, 29 in home department, 27 in Doda, 15 in Ramban, 13 in Kathua, 11 in Udhampur, 8 each in Jammu and Kapwara districts, 6 in Reasi, 3 each in Srinagar and Anantnag districts and one in Kishtwar district.

Police has asked Divisional Commissioner Jammu Pawan Kotwal to cancel these fake licences, and also requested Passport Authorities not to issue any travel documents to the main accused SDM Choudary.

"All district police chiefs of Jammu Zone have been provided the list of fake gun licence holders for necessary action under law," they said, adding most of the accused have gone underground.

Additional District Magistrate Jammu Sanjeev Verma has also requested the government to cancel licences of the three gun units - Singh Gun house, Suresh Armoury and Hem Raj Gun Manufacturing factory in Jammu.

The case was busted when police recovered two fake gun licences from Naseer in Rajouri district and Rafeeq in Jammu city on February 27 last month.

During investigation, it was found that the licences have been issued by the SDM and subsequently four persons allegedly involved in the racket - Bittoo, Chain Singh, Subash Chander and Parshotam Singh were arrested and involvement of the gun manufacturing units was also exposed, they said.