Allegations Claim Devotees’ Silver Was Replaced With Fake Metal; Inquiry Continues, No FIR Registered Yet
Jammu, Aug 5:(KNC)A Jammu court has directed the police to submit a detailed status report in connection with the alleged ₹550-crore silver offerings scam at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, where nearly 20 tonnes of devotees’ donated silver is alleged to have been substituted, adulterated and misappropriated.
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Munish Kumar Manhas, while hearing the matter, directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), Bhawan, Katra, to file a comprehensive report on the inquiry being conducted into the allegations. The court also sought details of the action taken to preserve physical, documentary and electronic evidence linked to the case.
The complaint was filed by advocate Deepak Sharma, who had earlier approached the Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch, Jammu, and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch (Economic Offences Wing), seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
According to reports, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had reportedly sent around 20 tonnes of silver offerings to a government mint in May for standard melting and secure storage. During the process, it was allegedly discovered that the consignment largely consisted of fake or adulterated metal, with only about five per cent found to be genuine silver. The total value of the silver offerings has been estimated at around ₹550 crore.
A preliminary status report submitted before the court stated that the complaint was first processed by the Crime Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, before being forwarded through the Zonal Police Headquarters, Jammu, to the Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone. It was subsequently transferred to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, who entrusted the inquiry to the DySP, Katra.
The report informed the court that the matter is presently under inquiry and that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered so far.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 18, when the police are expected to submit the detailed inquiry report and update the court on the progress of the investigation.(KNC)