SC issued notices in Arms licence case

New Delhi, Sep 7:The Supreme Court today issued notices to the centre and all states on a petition seeking an independent investigation into the scandal of arms licenses being issued without following rules as well as into the allegations of alleged sale of personal arms by army personnel, including senior officials, to arms dealers for monetary gains.

Petitioner Arvind Kumar Sharma,an advocate, pleading before the bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran, contended that even the officials of the licencing department were involved in the scandal and arms licences are being issued without even application being filed and without any verification about the ancedents of the person to whom the licences are issued.

Mr Sharma also said that such unchecked issuance of arms licence to unscrupulous and persons with dubious track record and criminals had lead to sharp rise in crime rate, terrorist activities and naxal activities in the country.

The advocate had submitted a list of 40 army personnel, which include senior officers of the rank of Major Generals and Brigadiers, who are facing allegations of selling their service arms which are non-traferable, to Arms dealears, possesing grave security treat to the country.

The petitioner contended that it was a serious matter and there is a report by the District Collector, Shriganganagar, Rajasthan that the officials and staff of the Arms Licence Department were involved in the racket and arms were being provided to criminals, anti social elements as well as to anti national elements.

Mr Sharma also contended that a thorough investigation by an independent investigating agency like CBI was essential to bring the curprits involved in the racket to book and prosecute them in accordance with law.

UNI