‘Time to build roads for the future’: SC on Kashmir

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday during the hearing of a matter in connection with the detention of Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom, said “it is time to build roads for the future”.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ajay Rastogi and Aniruddha Bose orally observed that the government should make all endeavours to bring complete normalcy in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. “It is time to build roads for the future….do not live in the past, look ahead”, said the bench in its order.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the top court that he agrees not to extend Qayoom’s detention any further. Mehta submitted before the bench that he will be released immediately. Qayoom was detained under the Public Safety Act in August 2019. His detention was upheld by the High Court citing his “separatist ideology.”

Justice Kaul noted that there is a huge potential for tourism in the region, which is untapped. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing Qayoom, urged the top court for his release on Thursday so that his family can receive him. Mehta also accepted suggestions from the top court that Qayoom will remain in Delhi and not go to Kashmir till August 7.

On August 5 last year Article 370 was revoked. Dave accepted the condition that his client will not make any contentious statement on Article 370.

The bench then appreciated efforts of both Mehta and Dave for being able to resolve this matter without taking any adversarial positions.

During the arguments, Dave said one can compare Kashmir’s scenic beauty with Switzerland. Justice Kaul replied that he must make a visit to the region. “There are only some small pockets which are disturbed. Otherwise it is all good,” Justice Kaul orally observed.

Qayoom had argued that he is more than 70 years of age and suffering from life threatening heart ailments showing blockade of artery to the extent of 55-60 per cent, with uncontrolled blood sugar and is surviving on a single kidney which is further aggravated by disease of Urethra stricture.

“Furthermore, because of the bullet injury sustained in 1995, the detenue suffered cervical vertebral column injury and there is degeneration in cervical and limb spine for which the detenue is on medication”, said his plea in the apex court.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)