Supreme Court today allowed Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Bhim Singh, who has sought imposition of Governor’s rule in the troubled state, to visit Srinagar and assess the “ground reality” there.
“We are not stopping you from talking to local people or Hurriyat. It is a free country and anyone can to talk to anyone but we will not give you any license or authorization for your political angle,” the bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur said, adding that he should tell the court about the ground situation in schools, colleges and hospitals.
The court said the senior lawyer cannot just say that Governor’s rule under section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir is the only panacea for everything and should file a reply to the Centre’s affidavit on the ground situation in the state.
The bench also said if anyone tries to incite the people or create law and order problem, then it can put them behind bars.
When Singh said he wanted to speak to local people and groups like Hurriyat Conference, the bench said it was a free country and anyone could talk to anyone but warned him against making political statements.
The bench directed solicitor general Ranjit Kumar to arrange for the visit of the activist lawyer and allow him to meet local people, divisional commissioner and deputy commissioner, so that he can assess the situation by himself and submit a report.
The bench, also comprising A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, asked the Centre to facilitate his visit after the senior lawyer said he had been stopped 52 times from entering the state.
“No one will stop you. If anyone stops then you can come back here and tell us. Centre will arrange for your visit and you can meet the people there and you can meet divisional commissioner and deputy commissioner so that you can assess the situation,” the bench said.
Kumar said he will find out how the JKNPP leader was stopped from entering the state and assured that he will not be restricted.
Earlier, the apex court had said that the ongoing trouble in Kashmir should be “dealt with politically” as everything cannot be managed within judicial parameters.
( Source – PTI )
