Supreme Court rejects plea for judicial probe into Pahalgam attack: ‘This is the time to fight…’

The Supreme Court on Thursday, May 1, rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), seeking directions for the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the Pahalgam attack. “Don’t demoralise our forces by filing such petitions,” the apex court said. Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh presided over the hearing.

The deadly terrorist attack, which shocked the nation, took place at Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot located in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, 26 people were killed.

The top court asked the complainant, Fatesh Kumar Sahu, to withdraw the petition and said, “This is the time when the entire country has joined hands to fight terrorism," the bench said. 

Reprimanding the petitioners, Justice Surya Kant said, “You want to argue? Be responsible before filing such PILs. You have some duty towards country also. Is this the way you want to demoralise forces? Since when we acquired expertise of investigation?”

Affirming that a Supreme Court judge can only adjudicate, Justice Surya Kant said, “Don't ask us to pass an order,” Live Law reported.

The PIL was jointly filed by Kashmir resident Mohammad Junaid and two advocates, Fatesh Kumar Sahu and Vicky Kumar.

In the wake of the recent terror activity, PM Modi has granted "full freedom" to the Indian Armed Forces to take appropriate action as a response. On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah also extended his complete support to the Union government and noted that this was a matter of security and intelligence lapses.

Notably, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, the Central government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Besides this, visas and stays of several Pakistani diplomats have also been terminated. Meanwhile, Islamabad responded by suspending the Simla agreement and initiated unprovoked small arms firing at the LoC.

Earlier in the day, reports emerged that Pakistan violated the ceasefire for the seventh straight night on April 30, despite a stern warning. India countered the ‘unprovoked’ firing across the LoC ‘proportionately,’ the Indian Army statement said.