Jammu, July 14, : A court in Jammu has fixed July 29 for further proceedings in a petition seeking an investigation into reports that a large quantity of silver offerings made at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine was allegedly found to be fake after being sent for processing. The court has also summoned the Crime Branch’s Investigating Officer to apprise it of the status of the complaint.
The matter reached the court after advocate Deepak Sharma alleged that despite submitting a formal complaint to the Crime Branch in May this year, no meaningful investigation had been initiated into the issue, prompting him to seek judicial intervention.
Addressing reporters, Sharma referred to media reports claiming that nearly 20 tonnes of silver offerings sent by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to a government mint for melting and processing were allegedly found to contain only a small quantity of genuine silver, with the remaining material reportedly being fake.
He said the reports raised several serious questions, particularly because the offerings had been made by lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country over a long period.
Sharma questioned whether the alleged replacement or adulteration of the silver, if at all it occurred, had taken place at the shrine, during transportation or at the mint itself. He also expressed concern over reports that the allegedly fake silver contained cadmium, a toxic metal whose procurement, according to him, is highly regulated.
Claiming that the circumstances warranted a thorough investigation, Sharma said he had approached the Crime Branch on May 9, 2026, requesting immediate action, but alleged that no progress was made despite the time-sensitive nature of the matter.
According to the advocate, when the court sought a status report, the Crime Branch informed it that the complaint had been received and, after approval by the supervisory officer, had been forwarded to another investigating agency.
Sharma said the court has now listed the matter for July 29 and directed the Crime Branch’s Investigating Officer to appear before it. He expressed hope that appropriate directions would be issued after the next hearing.
