The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear a PIL seeking a judicial investigation into the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, according to a report by PTI.
Petitioners warned by Supreme Court not to undermine security forces’ morale; PIL seeking probe into Pahalgam attack withdrawn
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear a PIL seeking a judicial investigation into the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, according to a report by PTI.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh rebuked the petitioners for asking that a retired judge oversee the probe into the Pahalgam incident, remarking that retired judges are “not experts”.
“In this crucial time, each and every citizen of the country has joined hands to fight terror. Do you want to demoralise the security forces by filing this kind of PIL? Don’t bring this kind of issue in judicial domain,” the bench stated.
Petitioners Fathesh Kumar Saahu and others were subsequently told to withdraw the PIL.
The apex court urged the petitioners to recognise the sensitivity of the matter and avoid making any court requests that could undermine the morale of the forces.
“You are asking retired Supreme Court judge to investigate. They are not experts in investigation but can only adjudicate and decide an issue. Don’t ask us to pass an order. Go wherever you want to go. Better you withdraw,” the bench told one of the petitioners.
The PIL had sought directions to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure tourist safety.
On 22 April, terrorists opened fire at Baisaran, a popular tourist site in the upper reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, killing 26 people, most of whom were holidaymakers from other states — an incident that has escalated India-Pakistan tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement cited by PTI, asserted that the perpetrators would be hunted “to the ends of the earth.”