SC not to interfere in SASB land transfer
KT NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, July 4: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to interfere in Jammu
and Kashmir government order to revoke the transfer of land to Sri Amarnath
Shrine Board (SASB). The bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir also declined to
entertain the prayer seeking directions for the lifting of curfew in Jammu. The
apex court said that it was an administrative matter and court has no voice in it.
Hearing a PIL filed by Prof. Bhim Singh, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir
National Panthers Party, the apex court, however, ordered the state government
to provide ample security, transport and medical facilities to the pilgrims
going to holy shrines of Amarnath and Vaishnodevi.
Prof. Singh in his petition had contended that the order revoking the transfer
of 39.88 hectares of forest land to the Board was taken by the minority government which has been directed by the Governor to prove its majority on the
floor of the House on July 7. He had pleaded to declare the order invalid.
The apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice GS Singhvi said the
pilgrims should be able to complete their pilgrimage in a secure atmosphere and
leave the state for their homes safe and sound. The bench declined to entertain the petitioner’s plea to direct the state government to reverse the decision by which it had cancelled the allotment of land.
The Court said that it was not a cabinet that could revoke the earlier decision.
The Court said that it was a policy matter and well within the domain of the state government to take decision. The Court said that it had already suffered criticism for overstepping its jurisdiction thus it would not entertain both the pleas.
The court directed the state government that people living in curfew bound areas
too should be provided with medical facilities and those needing medical aid
should be able to reach hospital and nursing homes. While court was issuing
these orders, the counsel for the State Anis Sohrawardy said the medical
facilities were already in place and were available to the people.