Srinagar: An Anti-corruption court at Srinagar declined to accept application of then District Magistrate Poonch seeking release of his passport and mobile seized by Anti corruption Bureau for lack of territorial jurisdiction.
Special judge Anti-Corruption Suresh Chander Katal recorded that the applicant Sajad Ahmad Khan, the then DM Poonch has filed application before this court seeking release of passport and one mobile phone allegedly seized by the CBI -ACB Srinagar.
Court further recorded that the report was called from ACB Srinagar states that the case has been registered by CBI Chandigarh and with the consent of State Government of J&K Home Department vide notification no. SRO338 dated 08 August 2018 f2018 there was the transfer of FIR No. 11/2018 to the investigation of cases ning to irregularities in issuance of large scale licenses from J&K.
It was further stated that the seizure of documents relates to the role of Sajad Ahmad Khan & Others the then DM Poonch regarding which the case came to be registered and copy of the said FIR has been forwarded to Special Judge Anticorruption (CBI CASES) Jammu where the CBI is going to present the chargesheet as well.
“Hence, this court has no jurisdiction to release the documents,” Justice Katal said and noted, as such, this court lacks territorial jurisdiction to entertain the application.
Justice Katal said due to lack of territorial jurisdiction over the matter, the application is not maintained before this court.
“However, the applicant is at liberty to approach the competent court seeking appropriate orders. Application stand disposed off accordingly and be consigned to records,” court directed.