IFS Officer Claims SSP Jammu of Mishandling FIR Request Despite Presidential Intervention

RC Sharma Chanakya
Jammu, Oct 07: In a development raising serious questions about administrative transparency and accountability, Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Mohan Choudhary, currently serving as Deputy Conservator of Forests in the Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, has alleged gross mishandling of his formal request for an FIR by the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu.
According to official documents shared by Choudhary, a written application dated August 28, 2025, was submitted under Section 154(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), seeking the registration of a criminal case. The complaint stemmed from a previous representation dated April 28, 2025. As per procedure, the communication was submitted both via email and in person at the SSP Jammu’s receipt section as well as the SP North’s office. Shockingly, despite stamped acknowledgments and email records – including an official response from the President of India addressed to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir dated August 29, 2025, urging appropriate action – the SSP’s office later claimed no such communication had been received. This assertion came to light through a response issued by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), acting as the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the SSP office, in reply to an RTI application filed by the complainant.
Subsequently, on October 7, 2025, the complainant was informed via telephone that the previously ‘untraceable’ complaint had, in fact, been located – albeit in an entirely different section of the SSP office.
Choudhary has described this denial as “a worrying example of administrative breakdown,” warning that such conduct severely undermines public confidence in law enforcement and procedural transparency. He has urged the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir to take cognizance of the issue and ensure statutory obligations under the CrPC are upheld.
The matter in question involves serious allegations of criminal conspiracy, fabrication of evidence, defamation, and abuse of official power. The primary accused named in the complaint include Mr Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, J&K, along with others. Also allegedly mentioned the then SP CID, who allegedly acted in coordination with Sharma.
In a significant development, an inquiry ordered by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and conducted by a senior IAS officer (1992 batch) has reportedly found evidence pointing to a criminal conspiracy against Choudhary orchestrated by Sharma and his associates.
Legal experts underscore that Section 154(3) CrPC mandates a senior police officer to take action on a written complaint when a police station refuses to register a cognizable offence. They caution that the failure to maintain proper receipt records and initiate investigations not only breaches legal duty but also erodes public trust in the justice delivery system.
Despite the setbacks, Choudhary has expressed unwavering faith in the rule of law. “I believe in the Constitution and hope the Lieutenant Governor’s administration will take immediate corrective measures to ensure that citizens’ grievances are properly recorded and investigated,” he said.
He has expressed hope on the SSP Jammu to acknowledge the error and proceed with the immediate registration of an FIR, in the interest of justice and transparency.