Sajad Lone Applauds J&K HC's Ruling on Passport Denial Linked to Family Militancy
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Synopsis
Sajad Lone, President of J&K Peoples Conference, praises the High Court's ruling that prohibits passport denial based on family ties to militants. He emphasizes the need for fair treatment and the importance of individual rights, while expressing hope for broader applications of this judgment.
Key Takeaways
- High Court ruling protects individual rights.
- Police verification misuse challenged.
- Optimism for comprehensive rulings.
- Importance of timely police verifications.
- Focus on youth opportunities in J&K.
Srinagar, Feb 12 (NationPress) Sajad Lone, the President of the J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC), expressed his appreciation for the recent ruling by the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. The court determined that no person should be denied a passport based on the militant activities of their family members.
Lone pointed out that this ruling establishes a significant precedent for numerous individuals who have encountered similar biases.
"I am hopeful that a comprehensive verdict aligned with this direction will be forthcoming in response to our party’s petition," he stated.
He highlighted that his party has previously contested the "increasing misuse" of police verification as a measure of "collective punishment" through a petition submitted by advocate Syed Sajad Geelani.
In his welcoming remarks regarding the court’s ruling, he reiterated that an individual’s rights should solely depend on their actions and not on the actions of their relatives.
"This should have been established much earlier, but it’s better late than never. I remain optimistic that this ruling will be adopted throughout J&K and that our petition will be addressed promptly to guarantee uniform application," he remarked.
Lone further emphasized that their petition specifically requested strict adherence to the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Validation of Character and Antecedents) Instructions, 1997, alongside the subsequent amendments in the Government Order of 2021 and the Circular of 2024.
"These legal frameworks stipulate explicit timelines for police verifications, ensuring a just and transparent process," he noted.
He conveyed confidence that the ruling would amend systemic issues and offer long-awaited relief, especially to the youth of J&K, who have frequently faced unjust restrictions.
"If the implications of this ruling are applied throughout J&K, it will assist in ensuring that our youth are not unjustly penalized and that they receive equal opportunities as their counterparts across the country," he concluded.
