JAMMU: A Jammu court has directed the crime branch inquiry officer to appear in person with the complete record in a case linked to the alleged “fake silver” offerings Rs worth Rs 500cr at Vaishno Devi shrine after objections were raised over the agency’s handling of a complaint seeking registration of an FIR.The case first came to light on April 21, when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sent around 20 tonnes of accumulated offerings to a govt mint for melting and storage.Officials conducting the assay were surprised to find that the metal contained only about 5-6% of actual silver. The govt mint further raised alarm about the presence of cadmium, which closely resembles silver in colour but is highly toxic.On Monday, chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Jammu, Munish Kumar Manhas, ordered the officer to remain personally present along with the relevant record on the next date of hearing, fixed for July 29.The court complaint was filed by advocate Deepak Sharma, who alleged no action was taken on his complaint submitted to the crime branch on May 9.The complaint has sought a detailed investigation into whether devotees had been sold fake or adulterated silver articles by vendors and jewellers, or whether genuine silver offerings had been pilfered at any stage after their receipt, including during inventory, weighing, storage, transportation, assaying or melting.
