Plea In SC Seeks Withdrawal Of Restrictions In J&K, Release Of Leaders

Activist Tehseen Poonawalla has moved the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution alleging gross Constitutional rights violations in the state of J&K.

The petition alleges that in the backdrop of latest constitutional amendments introduced by Union of India with respect to J&K, the state has been imposed with undeclared curfew, shutdown of phone services and internet and blockage of news channels w.e.f 4.08.2019. It further alleges that the citizens of J&K have been barred access to basic necessities such as healthcare, educational institutions, banks, public offices, food-vegetables and ration supply establishments. All of this amounts to suspension of Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and is illegal, it says.

The petition also states that while arrest of separatist leaders was justifiable, the arrest of mainstream political leaders of J&K including former Chief Ministers, Former Union Ministers, Former Legislators and Political Activists was arbitrary.

The Petitioner has thus prayed the court to direct withdrawal of curfew and all other regressive measures including blocking of phone lines, internet and news channels in the state.

He also seeks immediate release of all the political leaders who had been taken into illegal custody and appointment of a judicial commission to visit J&K and ascertain the ground situation and accordingly draft a status report.