Jammu, July 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Jammu court has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch to produce the complete record relating to a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in the handling of silver offerings at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, while hearing a plea seeking registration of an FIR and a detailed criminal investigation.
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Munish Kumar Manhas directed the Crime Branch inquiry officer to appear personally before the court on July 29 along with the entire record explaining the action taken on the complaint.
Complaint Alleges Irregularities in Silver Offerings
The matter stems from a complaint filed by Advocate Deepak Sharma, who has questioned the Crime Branch’s handling of allegations concerning nearly 20 tonnes of silver offerings, reportedly valued at around ₹550 crore, received by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
According to media reports referred to in the complaint, only a small percentage of the material was allegedly found to be genuine silver after testing, while the remaining quantity was reported to be fake or adulterated.
Sharma has argued that such claims raise serious questions, considering that lakhs of devotees from across the country offer silver at the shrine every year.
Seeks Registration of FIR
The complainant alleged that he approached the Crime Branch on May 9, 2026, seeking a comprehensive investigation into the matter. However, he claimed no meaningful action was taken, prompting him to move the court.
In his petition, Sharma has sought registration of an FIR under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), alleging offences including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and manipulation of records.
He has also sought an investigation into whether devotees were supplied fake silver by vendors or whether genuine offerings were allegedly substituted, adulterated or pilfered after being deposited at the shrine.
The complaint further seeks a probe into the source and supply chain of the alleged cadmium-containing material and identification of those responsible, if any wrongdoing is established.
Crime Branch’s Response Challenged
Following earlier court directions, the Crime Branch submitted a status report stating that the complaint had been forwarded to senior police authorities for approval and later transferred to another police agency for appropriate action.
Sharma has challenged that report, contending that it does not disclose whether an FIR was registered, whether any preliminary inquiry was conducted, whether evidence was preserved or whether an investigating officer was formally assigned.
He argued that the Crime Branch’s Economic Offences Wing itself functions as a notified police station under the Home Department and was legally empowered to register an FIR instead of forwarding the matter elsewhere.
Court Seeks Full Record
Taking note of the submissions, the Chief Judicial Magistrate directed the Crime Branch inquiry officer to appear before the court on July 29 with the complete case record and explain the action taken on the complaint.
‘Matter of Faith’
Speaking after the hearing, Sharma described the issue as extending beyond alleged financial irregularities.
He argued that describing devotees’ offerings as fake also raises questions affecting the faith of millions of pilgrims who make offerings at one of the country’s most revered Hindu shrines.
He further claimed that similar concerns regarding alleged fake precious metal offerings had surfaced earlier in response to an RTI application, and reiterated his demand for a thorough investigation to establish the facts.
The court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations, which remain under consideration.
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