Jammu ,July 15
In the alleged ₹500-crore “fake silver” offerings controversy involving the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine, Katra, the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Jammu, on Wednesday directed the Crime Branch Inquiry Officer to appear personally with the relevant records on the next date of hearing, scheduled for July 29, 2026.
The order was passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate Munish Kumar Manhas during proceedings arising from an application filed by Advocate Deepak Sharma.
Complaint Seeks FIR and Detailed Investigation
Advocate Deepak Sharma had submitted a complaint to the Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch, Jammu, and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch Economic Offences Wing, on May 9, 2026. The complaint sought registration of an FIR and a thorough investigation into the alleged adulteration, substitution and possible misappropriation of silver offerings made by devotees at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine.
The complaint alleged the commission of serious cognizable offences, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, manipulation of records and the possible procurement or use of cadmium-laden material.
Court Examines Crime Branch Status Report
After no effective action was disclosed, the complainant approached the CJM Court seeking an action-taken report and directions for registration of an FIR.
In response to the Court’s earlier directions, the Crime Branch submitted a status report stating that the complaint had first been forwarded to Crime Headquarters, Srinagar, for approval and was later sent to the Zonal Police Headquarters, Jammu, for appropriate action.
Objections Raised Over Handling of Complaint
Advocate Deepak Sharma filed objections to the status report, arguing that merely forwarding the complaint did not satisfy the legal requirements for dealing with information disclosing cognizable offences.
He further contended that the Crime Branch Economic Offences Wing, Jammu, is a notified police station under the relevant Home Department notification and is legally required to act in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
The objections also highlighted that the status report did not mention any steps taken to preserve crucial evidence, including inventory registers, stock records, CCTV footage, transportation documents, assay reports, Mint correspondence, electronic records and documents relating to the receipt, storage, testing and melting of the offerings.
Next Hearing on July 29
After hearing the submissions, the Court directed the Crime Branch Inquiry Officer handling the matter to remain personally present before the Court along with all relevant records on July 29, 2026, when the matter will be taken up for further proceedings
