In the major development in the Pahalgam Terror Attack, which claimed the lives of 27 people (mostly tourists), the Supreme Court today refused to entertain a public interest litigation seeking directors for constitution of a judicial commission to probe the matter.
The court as reported by the LiveLaw criticised the petitioners for filing an “irresponsible petition” and highlighted the “demoralizing” impact it can lead to on the security forces.
“Be responsible before filing such PIL. You have some duty towards the country also. This is the way you are trying to demoralize the forces in this hour of crisis and juncture? You are asking retired Supreme Court judge to investigate. Since when retired High Court, Supreme Court judges have become expert in investigation? Tell us, since when we have required this expertise of investigation? We only decide disputes. Don’t ask us to pass an order”, commented Justice Surya Kant and the LiveLaw reported.
“This is not the time. This is the crucial hour when each and every citizen of this country has joined hands to fight this terrorism…don’t make any prayer which can demoralize our forces…it is not acceptable to us. Look at the sensitivity of the issue” the judge added.
Furthermore, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and N. Kotiswar Singh allowed a petitioner to withdraw their plea concerning Jammu and Kashmir students studying outside the Union Territory, granting them the liberty to approach the High Court on the matter.
Notably, when the bench voiced displeasure over the nature of the petition’s prayers, the petitioners responded by expressing full satisfaction with the government’s actions. However, one petitioner requested withdrawal of the original prayers while urging the Court to consider the alleged harassment faced by J&K students studying outside the Union Territory in the wake of the recent attack.
